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jTjxfuxfuinjnnjuiiTjirLruirmnfmAnmi^
VOCABULARY
OF THS
MKNDE LANGUAGE.
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VOCABULARY
MEISTDE LANGUAGE.
BY
J. F. SCHON.
LONDON:
SOCIETY FOE PBOMOTING CHEISTIAN KXOWLEDaE,
NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, CHARING CROSS, W.C.
1884.
■/■■', ^. --
.-.^£
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PREFACE.
The Vocabulary which now appears in print was
collected a few years ago. Since it was laid on the
shelf, I have had the pleasure of receiving one
published by missionaries of an American Society
at Good Hope, west coast of Africa. The name of
the author is not given. I have availed myself of
its contents to the full extent by incorporating in
the present work all that was new to me, regarding
the common object which we both have in view as
a sanction for my action, while in return I freely
offer my labours to my American friends. Two
different methods have been adopted in the reduc-
tion of the Mende language from the very com-
mencement, as regards orthography. The American
missionaries have adopted what we may call a
euphonic system, giving different forms to diffe-
rent vowel-sounds; while the missionaries of the
Church Missionary Society have adopted the system
Eroposed by Dr. R. Lepsius, of Berlin, and which
as been approved by all Missionary Societies in
Europe, as well as by many Literary Societies,
and will ere long supersede all other systems of
writing foreign languages in Eoman characters.
We, on our part, can adopt no other system, and
at the same time do not give up the hope that
our American friends will see the necessity of
adopting the same themselves ere long. All are
agreed that it is not only a disadvantage, but a great
hindrance, to the cause of missions and the spread
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IV PREFACE.
of learning, to write the same language and the
same translations of Scripture in two different ways,
and it cannnt hut prove a great ohstacle to the
teaching of English in the schools. I do not mean
to propose the particular orthography I have
atlopted, though I am convinced that it is in harmony
with Dr. Lepsius' system ; but would suggest it to
our friends as a basis for future consideration, and I
shall be glad to listen and attend to any proposition
froni them which may lead to the adoption of a
uniform system.
Brotherly intercourse between the agents of the
two societies is very desirable, as well as an inter-
change of works. Had such existed hitherto, it
would not have happened that "The Principles of the
Mende Grammar, with Specimens of the Language,"
which was published in the Mende Mission in Sher-
bro, in 1874, should never have reached me until
April, 1883, and, as it happened, on the very day
when the first copy of my little Grammar * came into
my hands from the printer. If I had had the book
earlier I should have benefited by it. But as no altera-
tion can now be made, let both go together. The
vocabularies, though extensive, are after all but the
beginning of the reduction of the language : every
year will add new matter, and in this way we shall
gradually get a complete dictionary. We do not
despise the day of small things. No English-Mende
vocabulary has been published before, as far as I am
aware.
That these first attempts may be of some use to
us, and become the stepping-stone to greater works,
is the prayer of the author to the Giver of every
blessing.
J. F. SCHON.
Palm Cottage, New Brompton, Kent,
October 29{h, 1883.
'•' " Grammar of the Mende Language." London, 1882.
Digitized by VjOOy ItT
VOCABULARY OF THE MENDE
LANGUAGE.
PART I.
MENDE-ENGLISH.
A
A, prep., with, to, unto ; by,
at, in. Wuwaatienyay^,
Come ye with them, i.e.
bring them to me. Ke ti
wa a toi. And they» came
with, i.e. they brought
the horse
A, interrog. adv., where?
Tifa a ndowoi Tifa?
Where is the horn? A
bi ke. Where is the father?
K,pers. ;:;row., 3 per. sing., he,
she, it ; and 2 per. plu., ye
A, pers. pron, neg., he, she,
it not
A, interj. of surprise, asto-
nishment, delight
A-bie, comp. per. pr(m.,2 per.
sing., thou and thee
Aeja and aeya, expressions
of surprise and sorrow
Almbo and aoumbo, expres-
sions of regret
Aiya, expression of pity
Aiyo, adv., yes; a strong
asseveration
Akpogbe, expression of sur-
prise *
Alenga, adv., unitedly, to-
gether
A-mue, comp. pron., 1 per.
plu.*, we ; us, to us
A-nge, pron., 1 per., I ; me,
toine
A-ngie, pron., he, him, her
A5u, adu., yes; expression
of astonishment
A- tie, pron., they, them
A-wue, pron., ye, you, yours
Aye, interrog. adv., how ?
B
Ba, pers. pron., 2 per. sing.,
thou, thy
Ba, pcrs. pron., neg., thou not
Ba = pa = wa, tr. v., to kill,
to hurt, to injure, to de-
B
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
prive of. Numui i ngi
mba lalo, ta ngi balo ta be,
Any one who shall kill his
companion, shall be killed
also. I ngi ba ngi nav9i
va, He has killed him for
the sake of his money
Ba, n,, honour, respect,
worthiness. Niimui Ji
balo ngi ma. As to this
man, honour is on him,
i.e. he is worthy, deserving
of. Ba g5 and ba do, give
honour
Ba = mba, definite state bai,
plu. balsia, n., price,
value; ba gbango, very
dear, valuable. Measure,
the standard measure, as
" bar *' in bartering— ba-
ygla, one bar
Ba=mba, w., jaw, cheek
Ba=mba, w., food, meat.
Gbe ba lo bi l5ni hi me?
What food is it you want
to eat?
Ba, n., musical instrument
made of reeds and cala-
bashes
Ba, with ma, to fail to have
something, as, I ba hani
ma i ye 15i la. He failed to
have or to obtain the thing
he wanted ; to waver, be
in doubt ; I bani, he
wavered not; to impose
upon, to take advantage
of one's weakness or igno-
rance
" Baa-wele, w., rectangular
house"
Baba, def. st. bab^i^plu. ba-
belsia, w., hut, booth,
temporary shelter made
of reeds. A bab§i Ji vaya
Babon, w., jug
Baga, def. st. bagei, »., pay-
ment, glory
>, tr, v., to honour, to
respect; with ma, Ngi
bago bi ma, I honour theo;
to value, to overrate. Nge
bago nya levui ma be
Bahu, def. st. bahiii, n., seed
Bai gglenda, to count the
cost ; with or without ma
Baia = baya, as, baia hinda,
treachery, hypocrisy; also
traitor, hypocrite, with or
without mo
Baji, w., snuff-horn
Bak^li, w., watch-house be-
tween the barricades of
a town
Bala = pala = wala, verb, n.,
killing. Nikabalamahoa
nja niimu bala ma ihSnni,
To kill a cow is lawful, to
kill a man is not lawful
Bala, n., basket
Bala (see Mbala), w., sheep
Balf = gbale = kpale, tr. v., to
hurt, cause pain ; intr., to
grieve, to feel pain. I
gbalf t^ ma gbon. It
grieved them much
Bale = mbala, n., sheep ; nya
balei, my sheep
Ball, n., hide and seek play
Ball-yftra, n., mat with un-
twisted threads, woven by
women
Bail, tr. v., to vomit, to
throw out
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Bamandf/n., bell
Bamba-kuta, or merely
kiita, n., tower
Bamo, w., one who kills.
Numn bfimo, murderer
Banda-b§la, n., Mende blue
cloth with darker stripes
Bandf-bande, n., gossip,
foolish deceptive talk
Bandi = gbandi = kpandi,
adj., warm, hot
Banga, adj,, big, great,
large. Ta-moi bangaiigo,
the man is very great.
Madagaska ti bangawa
mia, Madagascar is a very
large island
Bange, w., cheek, side of
face
Bango-bango, bangolo, adv.,
loudly, noisily; used of
speaking
Bango, w., stationary
wooden seat in a barre
Bango ye le nemahu, with-
out, destitute of sense,
foolish
Bao = baw6, tr, v., to save
to heal, to' cure, to deliver,
to justify. Ngi nyaba-loi
i ye baoi ikpelf yakpei na
ma la. Her daughter was
healed the very same
hour. Intr,f to be well.
Nya bawSngo le ngi loni
a hale, I am well, I have
no need of medicine. I ti
baoa. He healed them.
Tegiia baola. They cannot
be saved, or cannot save
themselves
Ba^la, fi, verb, n,, healing
Baongo = bawongo, to be
free; literally, thou art
thy own
Bara, tr. and intr., to miss
one's aim. Tibara pel6i
ma. They missed the road
Bato, (I think) thou seest.
Sometimes interchanged
with ngato. It is more
likely to mean " perhaps"
Batoke, w., a term applied
to things unseemly
Bawa, n., mercy, grace
Bawo, w., health; a^J.,
healthy
Bawola, ei, w., salvation,
restoration
Baya, w., deceit, fraud,
cheat; tr. v., to deceive,
to defraud
Baya- mo, w., deceiver, hypo-
crite
Ba-yili, w., a bundle of rice,
sheaf
BS, pers. pron.y 2 per. sing.,
thou
Be,pers.^rem.,neg.,thou not.
Be li, Thou shalt not go
Be and bee, you say, say-
ing
Be, adv., also, even ; as, like
Be = mbg, def. st. bei, self,
myself*; nya be, I myself
Be, adv., here, at this place.
Nya yenge lo be, My
work is* here. Bi wa bei,
Thou mightest come here
BS, tr. v., t6 dry, to be.
*Bengo, as ngama bengo,
dry eye = § lua, he is not
afraid = is impertinent,
bold. Ndima bengo i
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
dewe ndogbo hania gbi
ma, 'literally, His heart is
dry, it surpasses all the
beasts of the forest = he
is more cruel, fiercer, etc.
Bengo, to be becoming
Bee,'w., mark
Bebe, adj., soft, easy, flexi-
ble. I gbio b§b§ngo.
Which is easy
Begbele, adv., this time; and
beigbele
Bei,'def.*st. of mba, n., rice.
Nya-bei nyandengo. My
rice is good
Beindo, adv., here, this
place. _Ta lobendo,He is
here. I beindo. He is not
here
Bei yaka, this side
B|ke, def. st. ei ; plu. bekea,
def. st. bekeisia ; «., arm,
branch, members of the
body. Ta ngiilu bekea
dewe. They cut branches
off the tree
Beke, n., Larva of the beetle
Gondo-vofo
Beke, adj., like. Koloi Ji
beke na
Bela, tr. v. = wela, to run
away, to escape
B^la, def. st. belesia, and
baleisia, forming the plu.
of *mo ; as, lemo, plu.
leb€la, lebalesia. Kpowa-
mo,' plu. kpOwab^la, def.
St. kpowa belesia,' foolish
person
B61a, tr. v., to tear, to rend.
1 ngi golesia b§la, He
rends his garments. Intr.,
to burst, to split; as, i
bSla ndia. It was torn
asunder, i.e. in the midst
Bele = mbf le, n., glory,
honour. ^Nyabeleingima
= My honour' is not on
him, i.e. he is not worthy
of me. Ti ti bele nyani.
They spoiled, i.e. dis-
honoured, them. Nyib6l@
lango
Bele, tr. v., to notice, to
watch; take notice of.
Mahoungo wu wu nyamei
bele hou. Ti ngi bele
houi lo gbon
Bele-gbemo, one who pre-
dicts by stones
Bele-gotu, stones used in
divination
Bell, w., high bed
Bell, tr. v., to drain, to ebb,
to get dry. NJe belingo
le, The water dries, de-
creases, abatos. NJe i
belia
Beli, adj., skilful, clever;
tr. v., to know, to under-
stand how to do a thing.
Ngi loni ngi wea ngulu-
beli-nio, I wish to become
a clever workman in
wood
Bembe, tr. v., to compass, to
surround. Bembe mbe-
mbe ggla hii] Wrapped
him in 'clothes
Beme, n., land sloping
with gentle descent
Beme, n., a kind of wasp ;
the style of cutting the
hair which leaves only
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
the top of the head
covered
Berg, n., trousers
B|t§, tr, v., to exalt, to bless
Bewu or begu, adj., limber
Beye, w., scent of the musk-
rat
Beyg, adj., weak, feeble,
languid
Bi, Tpers. pron., thou, thy,
thee. Bi viili, thyself
Bl,per8. prcwi.,neg.,notthou,
thou not
Bia, pers. |)row.,emph., thou ;
bia be, thou thyself
Bi = gbi, all
Bia = gbia = Kpia
Bibi, adj., big, overgrown
BibI, n., Bibl-yafe, imper-
sonation of the Hemo
spirit
Bie = bi ye or bi we, thou,
thee, to thee
Bije = biye, def. st. bijei =
biyei, I, niime
Belelsia, def. st., plu.,
drums
Bili = will = pili, often
heard like pli, tr, v., to
throw, to cast; intr., to
jump into a boat, to dis-
charge or fire a gun
Bili and biliya, n., circum-
cision
Bima, ohj. pron.y emph.
form, thee
Bime = pime, intr. v., to run
away; a pime, by running
Binda, arfj. pron., thy own
Bind$=windf, intr. v., to
jump, to leap
Binjando, tufted
Bise, n., thanks, or thanks
to thee
Bisui, w., a nut used in
preparing a vegetable
sauce
Bitili, adj., unbroken, whole
Biyo, adj., noisy, disorderly
Biyo-hinda, n., mob, uproar,
tumult
Bo, n. , thing. Nya go a bo Ji
Bo = mbo, tr, v., to dig, to
bore
Bo, the expression Pshaw!
Contempt, disdain
Bo, tr, v., to shoot, to prick,
to pierce; to strike, to
knock, to stab. I ngi boa
ajaki
Bo = bolo, n,, neck, throat
Bobou and bobo, adj.,
smooth, soft
Bogbole, n., a wasp with
blue wings and yellow
striped sides
Bogoti, n., tub, bucket, pail
Boil^po, n., boy, male ser-
vant
Bola, tr. v., to make a mis-
take ; to miss one's aim.
I bola pelei mo
Bola, n., bag*, cup = mbola,
to wrest from
Bola = mbola, n., neck,
throat; JDolahu, in the
throat. Nya b9l6 hui
bengo wo. The inside of
my throat was dry once
= I was thirsty
Bolf = gbolf, tr. v., to drink
B$l| = mbglf , blind ; b$l§-
ngo, to be blind, dim of
Bight
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Bolemo, w., blind prson
Boll, w., large basin
Bglo, name of a charm or
fetish. Kgni bglo fete ta
kali nasia wiii hii
Bglo, n., lap, bag, closed by
a string
Bglo, n,y sack
B5lo, plu. boloisia, w., kit-
chen
Bolg, plu. boloa, w., neck-
cap = bora. Ko bgro, n.,
helmet
Bolomu-lende, n., paddle
canoe. 'Bolgrau-lala, long
steerman's paddle
Boma, ei, w., net
B6mbi,'?7., a point of land
extending with the water,
cape
Bombo, n., small-pox
B6mb6-gbo, w., scar or pit
from small-pox
Bgtabo, «., breeches, breech
cloth of any kind
Bomukulo, n., dove
Bonda = mbonda, def. st.
ei, n., generation, nation,
kind, sort. Hua bondei
jiajo. Those kinds of
animals
Bondi-bondi, adj\, small.
Kgve bondi-bondi
Bondg, n.* furnace for melt-
ing
Bgngi, adj., sleepy, drowsy.
Nya ye bgngi
Bgnl, n., cannibalism. Ti
ngi h5na bgni hil
Bgai-m6,w., cannibal. Bgni-
hinda, the act of seizing,
preparing, or eating hu-
man flesh. I bgni-hfnda
weni
Bonge, n., name of the three
smaller tops, or Hele in
the game of spinning
nuts ; the larger are called
Mahe
Bongolo, n,, small pools
near the river where fish
collect
Bongolo-bongolo, adv,, de-
scribes the walking sound
of the war officer, who
wears a large belL A jia
bongolo bongolo
Bgno, v., to sell* all, to part
with largely
Botani, w., plu. bgtania,
botanisia, blow, fist. Ti
ngi hija a botani
B9tani-wlli-m6, w., boxer
Bgvi, n., an animal resem-
bling a squirrel, probably
badger, beaver. Dgmfi
bgvisia va
Bgwa = mbgwa, ei, n.,
sword, knife
Bgwa, n., bruise. Bgwango,
bruised
Bowe jgyoi wa helengo ngi
le bowe bu ?
Bgwuni, w., wood-cutter
Bgya, tr, v., to give presents
= mbgya, especially the
presents made for a wife.
Sama yela i wa i nyaha-
poi bgya, A nobleman
came and bespoke the
girl
Bgyokg, n., mitten worn for
protection in clearing
away the underwood ,
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Bgyongo = gbgyongo =
kpgyongo, adj., done,
finished
Bu = mbu, post position, in,
tinder, below, beneath
Bii, n., bottom, lower part ;
def. St. bui, pin. biilsia,
what is underneath.
Wele bn, in the house;
mese bu, under the table
Biiani, n., an animal of
the fish kind that eats
Bu-bu, w., the sound pro-
duced by striking on the
breast
Biibii, intr, v., to fly, to
flutter. Nwonlsia ta biibii
ngeleya
Bu = pu, tr, v., to put, place ;
to throw out
Bugbole, tr. v., to swallow,
to be swallowed up. Wa
Kameli bugbolf, or hil-
gb5le
Buhii, n., inside excited,
astonished. Nya hii bu-
ngoibiva. Nyahui(bui)
wgnga bi va,My astonish-
ment is great Bi nya
hii bua. Nyahii i buni
bi Ta
Buk? = gbuh? = kpuh?, w.,
body
BukpTa = bugbia, tr. v., to
pull out, root up
Bukpule, tr, v., to shake off
Bula, n!, plain (place) ; also
biilo
Bula, r?., foreskin
Biilf , intr. v., to burst ;
likewise buli. A biilia
a ng5, She burst into
tears
Bnli = kpiili or kpulu, n.,
cave, den
Biilo, as Bi hamei bulg,
Gird thy loins
Biilu, w., horn, trumpet
Biilu-vemo, n., trumpeter
Biilu, n., a small field of
early rice upon low land ;
a fish
Biima, w., bit, gimlet, borer
Biimbu = wumbu = mbii-
mbu, tr. v., to take, take
up, lift up
Bunda, ei, n„ company,
fellow
Burun, adv., suddenly
Biiru = biilu, n., name of
the moon correspondiDg
with April
Buse (see ngufe = yufe
biise), w., shame, diffi-
dence, modesty
Buta, ei, plu. butanga, bow
and arrow
Butungo. See Gbotongo
D = T
Da, def. st. dei, plu. d§Isia =
ta, tei, plu. t§i8ia, w., town
Da {See Ta), calabash
Da = nda, adj., own. Ngi
da loi, his son
Dabango, to be dry
Dada, n., barricade made
of earth or bricks dried
in the sun
Dadu, adv., hastily, pre-
cipitately. Ti mehe wai
mea dadu
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8
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Dagba, n., a kind of bee
without a sting, which
makes honey and black
wax. Compare Kendu
Dagba, as, ndo dagba, n,,
sour wine, vinegar
Dagba, w., plaintain stump
cut down ; mat on which
Hele or Si are played
Dala, tr. v., to creep
Dama = tama, adv.^ foolish.
Damango, to be foolish
Dambo, tr, v,, to lift up,
walk erect
Dani, w., a non-conductor
to the electric power of
a fish ; a shaking play
Danginye, w., an insect said
to cause the ground itch
Daon, adv., brightly
Dara golongoi, white wall
Datoma, ei, and hiDda
datomei,* n., the begin-
ning
Dava, n,, bat. ndova eha
dava woma. The frog does
not die for the sake of
the bat
Dawa, n., forehead. I nya
hija nya dawa. He struck
me on my forehead
Dawu, w., some sort of
poison to kill fish
D§, e = 1 = t
De = le, tr, v., to climb up,
to lift up. Kina ti welani
a ti yamfsia dela, lite-
rally. When they had
finished with lifting up
their eyes. Niimui gbi
lo a ngi villi de ngf leya.
Whosoever exalteth hini-
self. I de nge1§ya ngu-
lui hu, He clinibs up on a
tree
De = dewe, to surpass. Ti
ye df ni honda yela ma
De. See Te towl
De, n,, a country
De, tr. v., to climb, ascend,
to mount. Ti bona dea
hindoi ji ma
Debu, w., a sore that forms
about the nail of the toe
or finger
Dedeli (see teli), adj., black
Dehe * and dehena, n,,
powder
Dela, verb, n., climbing, lift-
ing
Deli and delideli, adj.,
black. Pe i.deli. Make
it black.* Ngi peni a
deli, I do not make it
black
Deme, n., brass pan
Demfa,Mende vocabulary —
fattier or brother-in-law.
We have son-in-law.
The mother-in-law calls
her son-in-law • mbera ;
the father-in-law calls
him df mla or mbera
Derau, tr. v,, to ask pardon.
Ngi bi demui lo kS,, I ask
thy pardon very much.
Demu = temu, tr, v., to
deicide in favour, to allow
the claim, to acquit. Ti
Ngewo demua. They
justified God
D§mule = temule, to be in
the right. * Nya aemul§ =
bi lele
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULART.
9
Dene, pin. denea, n., a kind
of water-lily
Denga = tenga, prep,, to-
wards ; wa nga denga
Benika, n., a large breed
of cow from the Df
country
Dene, adv., brightly
De89, intr. v,, to sneeze
Dete, intr, v., to walk
about
Detf we, frequentative form,
walk about much, to pass
from place to place
Dewe, tr. v,, to cut, to
surpass ; to cross a river.
Kowui dewe. I ti dfwe.
I Djiei df w|a, he cut, i.k
settled tiie matter. Ndi
= Ir dewe, heart cut, i.e,
to be angry. Ti ll dewea
lo, They were angry. To
send, Ngi nyahei i ngo
dewe ngi ye, His wife
sent word to him. Df te-
ngo ngenge = tewe t§wf-
ngo, Cut in pieces. Bi
dewea nya ma. Thou hast
overcome me
Dewe-mo, w., sensible, wise
person; i,q. nemahu de-
wfngo
Di = li = ndi
Dl, n., courage, determina-
tion; honest: hQU a dl.
Dl ke ndi yf kpf , Honest
and good heart
Dia, n,, a little rice bird
with a red neck; and
alsodiadia
Diamb$, w., play with live
snakes
Die, 71., a tree yielding a
sweet gum
Digba, digbe, def. si digbei,
n., heel
Digbi, tr, v., to lean upon, on
Digbo, adv, completely.
Kole lelingo dlgbo
Dikpo*, n., top, shuttlecock
Dlma, intr, v,, to leak
steadily
Dingen, adj,, large
Dingo, to be zealous
Diso, intensive adv,y very.
Miningo dIso
Dl80, intr. v., to sneeze =
deso
Diwo, exclamation of satis-
faction at success in a
game
Dimo, adv,, continuously.
A gbeli dImo
Do = to = lo = ndo
Do, tr, v., to despise = tg =
d51o with a, to hate
Do = to, tr, V, and intr,, to
stand, to build. Nya pe
donga, I have built =
made to stand. Nya pe
donga If, My house is
built
D9, tr, V,, to send. A ti d?
lo. He will send them
Do = to, tr. v., to see, to find.
Nya bale donga, I have
found my sheep
Dogbe, adj,, young. Nje
dogbe, to dogbe, young
goat, horse. T9 dggbengi
iQi, horse the young,* his
child = the foal of. Ti
dQgbfngo, They being
young
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10
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Dohe, to weigh
Doi/as, li doi, strong hearty
bravery
Dole = ndole = lo^e how
many? *Nesi dole bi
majia? Navoi doff hi
yeya?
Doli = toll, to call
D5lo, tr! v., to hate. Nya
dolongo a-bie, 1 hate thee.
Ngf dol5ngo*ange i dewe
kali ina, He hates me
more than a serpent. Ti
dolongo a-ngif, To desire
the* misfortune of an
opponent
Doma, verb, »., seeing
Domanyo, n., adversary
D5mba, n., food of boiled
casava or c6co
Dombo = tombo, w., the
ruins of a town, desola-
tion
Dome, ei, n., story, tale,
fable. * Dgme gbia, to pull
out, utter, tell a story
Dome gbla-mo, one who
tells a story
Dongo, w., brass
Don, adj., cal m . Hu ya dgn.
It was calm
Dgngangoi, the righteous
one. Ba hinda gbiwf a
kena dongangoi na
Dowa = ndowa, n,, hole
Dqwo, w., fame, reputation;
dow5ngo, to be notorious,
of repute
Dgwoisia, as, ndogb? d<?-
wolsia, n., husks
J)vi,' adv., heavily, deeply.
Fefei a wa elii
Dugba, n.y cannon
Diima = liima, to be willing,
to assent, to consent.
Ngi Mma, I am willing.
Ngl diima a lila pe bu, I
am not willing to* go in
the house. Duma, to
answer. Diima nya we
Dumbf, intr. and tr, v., *to
scold, to talk in a loud
excited manner ; to roar
as the sea
Dumbeka, plu. dumbeka,
def. St. dumbekeisia; aho
dumbekaika, def. st.dum-
belkasia, dumbekeleisia ;
n., star, firefly
Dumbekele, n., lime, lemon,
orange
Dumbglo, verb, n., raging.
Ipeilo fefe wai i gbe a
vela, ke gbaye i gbe a
dumb^la. He* made the
great wind to cease from
blowing, and the sea to
cease from raging
Dumbgleka, L q., dumbeka
Dumbele wiiru, «., lemon
tree
Dumbgngo nje, Taging of
the water; and dumbe
Djei
Dukpengbe, w., multitude.
Dukpengbe wai ti toi lo
ngi ma
E
£, pron., 3 per. sing., neg.,
he, she, or it can or will
not
E, response, yes, so
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MENDE-ENGUSH VOCABULARY.
11
E E, calls attention in
introducing a remark
Eha, interj.y as yes, in-
deed. £ha kg-mo wa a
If, Yes, indeed he is a
great warrior
Ebiani, expression of sur-
prise
Ehiye, a response to a state-
ment, as. Indeed 1 so you
ask me?
Eya, an expression of
sorrow and pity
Eye, an affirm, adv., yes
Fa = Ta
Fa, prep, and conj., of, for,
to; in order to, on ac-
count of, for the sake of;
concerning, about: adv.,
quickly. Hlj§ fa hi wa
Fa, n. and adj., dispute,
quarrel, quarrelsome.
Fa famo a ngie. Fanyo,
71., opponent, antagonist
Fa, n., a large pod-shaped
&uit that bursts with a
loud noise
Fabo, n., description of a
fugitive, with a request
for . his apprehension;
proclamation
Fafa, n., a scented ointment
Faha, ei, n., multitude,
herd ; plu. fahanga
Fai, n., rock,
Faji, n., brass kettle
Faka-lewe, adj., weak, lazy,
without energy
Fakali, «., pawpaw tree
and fruit .
Faki, cLdj., pointed, tapered
Fala, n., the rind of a palm
leaf; stalk called bamboo
Fala, tr. v., to place beneath
in an inclined position
for support, to prop up,
to stand with one foot
braced
Fale, conj., therefore, now ;
n., reason, cause, as, Ji
valf i, For this reason, on
that account
Fale, n., sprout, germ;
mushroom. Growing =
tanga vale
Fal§-gbra, to betroth a
young girl, watch over
her till she is of age, and
then marry her
Fali, tr. v., to sow, to scat-
ter; to spring back o& a
bent stick, to kick
Fali-mo, »., sower
Fama, ei, n., greeting, visit,
call, complimentary visit,
shaking of hands
Famla, conj\, therefore, for
this reason
Fanda, tr. v., to give as a
present. I nya vandaa
a mehe. He presents me
with, i.e. gave
Fande, n., cotton, cotton
plant, thread
Fandf limbango, cotton
thread
Fande limba, cotton when
spun, thread, y%m
Fande wulu, n., cotton tree
Fahga, r?., boarder
Farama, §i, plu. faramf&ia,
n,, foundation
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12
MENDE-ENGIJSH VOCABULABY.
Fasi, adj,, saucy, impu-
dent, abusive ; v., to
abuse, abase. I ngi
vasia
Fawa = fai = fa, n., a broad
flat rock raised a little
above the soil
Fawoli = pavoli, v., to quar-
rel, to provoke, to tease,
to plague, to annoy, to
trouble, cause to be
angry; w., trouble, con-
fusion, disturbance, an-
noyance
Faya, tr, v., to spill, to
scatter, to waste, to
defeat; to prevail over.
Ti koi vayaa
Fe = ve
Fe, all. Ti me fe. They ate
all ; completely, enturely.
Imea fe
re,plu. fea,n., pot, jar, bowl,
pipe. Kglu-ve
Fe, tr. v., to give, to give
up, to bestow, to grant
Fe, tr, v., to rise, to
'swell, to fill ; ew/y., swelled,
filled. Nyagoi f|ingo, My
inside filled, i.e. I am with
child
Fe, intr, v., to blow ; to play
a wind instrument
Feamfi, adv., some time
ago, since, lately
Fefe, n., wind, breath, air.
Feffi i vea, Fefei koli-
ngo a pe ngi gbeli, The
wind is cold, it makes me
shiver. Fef^i gb^, the
wind ceases. Fef| kiilf i,
n., wind-cloth, i.e. sail.
Fefe wa i fefegOlfsia gin
i bela, i ti nyani
Fefe higbe, w., dropsy
Fefe, tr, v., to adhere, to
stick, to cleave to, to
press upon. Fefe ma-
mo, One that sticks to
one. Fefele, adhesive,
cleaving. Hale i vefelea
ngiluwuima. Fefelengo,
cleaving to
Fefen and fof9n, adv,, far,
high, lofty, distant
Fefele, two by two
F|-hani , n., goods, wares,
"merchandise; and Fele-
hani
Fe-hani, w., tumour, boil,
swelling ; thing given
Fela, n., twins; a5y., double.
Ti f§langa lea lo ta go-
hun§ lo, They rejoice at
the birth of twins.^ Ff la
gbande. Fela-bowa
Fela, tr, v,, to miss, to fail
to meet in the way. Mu
velama ha
Ffla-gbuwf, w., a small
house erected for twin
worship
Felamf, n., the top, the
summit of anything lofty
Fele, num, adj\, two
Fele, w., fan for separat-
ing the chaff from the
grain
Fele, tr, v., to plait, to braid,
to weave, to knit
Ffl§, n,y trade, trading; adj.,
commercial
' In the Ibo country twini
are put to death.
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MENDE-ENOLISH YOCABULABT.
13
Felee, adj,^ faint, weak
F|l§go, tr. v., to trade, to
buy and sell, to traffic
Fel§go-mo, n., trader, mer-
chant
Fel§gola, ei; fel^gQloi hu;
in or by* trading
Feli, adj., black
Feli, tr. v., to beg, to ask
for, to importune; to.be
in want, to be poor. Ngi
yetingo famia ngi lenga ta
yenga ngi va, He is poor,
for that reason do his
children work for him.
Ee feli i tatoa a ngi
h5ula. Then poverty or
want seized him. Wii
hani go wa feli. Ye
know not what ye ask.
Nya hii velingo le polon
navo va, I am always in
want of money
Feli, n. and adj\, poverty,
want, destitution; poor,
destitute
Feli-mo, n., beggar, poor
man
Fe-mo, one that gives
Femo or kiila vemo, n.,
weaver
Fen, adv,, completely
Fengbe, n,, white baft,
good luck. Bi fengbe lo
joni. Thou hast had
good luck. I mbfmbe
fengbe gola hu
Fengo, given. Fengo a ye
lo. It shall be ^ven
Fese, tr. v., to scratch, as a
fowl scratches
Feveu or feuveu, to sigh.
to sob, to grieve with
sighs; sighing
Feya, tr. v., to beckon. I
'l5ko yenga ff ya ti ma. He
bKBckoned to them
Feye, tr. v., to search for
food like a hen
Feye, adv., completely. Titi
vayaa feye-feye
Fla, adv., quickly, com-
pletely, unhesitatingly.
I ngi bbwf langu fia
Flal§, n., an introductory
expression, commencing
a speech or conversation ;
offering thanks ; expres-
sing approbation and
respect
Figola, n.y Mende cloth
having darker stars
upon dark ground
Fill, n., tail, mane, beard
of grain; prickles grow-
ing on the ears of corn
and rice. Filingo, to be
prickly. The cow-tail
used in courts of law or
the bar by the speakers
FII9, adv., quickly. I dewfa
fll9
Fima, adf., blue, or made
blue
Fingiri, n., the second fence
in a barricade, counting
from the outside
Fino and ftno, intens.
cK^v., completely. Fellngo
fino-ftno
Fisa, tr. v., to surpass, to bo
better. Ji ftsa ngo le.
Ifisa bi va bi hinde Ji we,
kina na bi na w§; i fiSa
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14
MENDE-ENaUSH VOCABULARY.
mu va nm hinda nyamu
wulo guru, i,e, put up
witt some trifling trouble
Flsf, tr. v., to dye cloth the
second time
Fiti-fata-bSla, lewd fellows
Frvi. tr, v., to turn from
side to side, as the head ;
to shako as dogs their
prey
Fivl, n., a cloud dark with
wind and rain. Fivl
wa i gulaa
Fo = vo
Fo, tr, v., to arrive, to reach,
to ent^r, to pass through
safely, to escape. I foa a
kpindl ji. Ti fonga fula
weka hii. They entered
into another village
Fo, w., a name for several
species of biting flies, as
the large green fly, the
large black fly, the man-
grove fly
Fo, adv., completely, en-
tirely, very, very much.
Kolengo f5, Very clear
Fo, adv,y truly, without fail
Fo, w., flame, blaze, shining
Fo, adv., surely, certainly
Foe-foe, to suck as a babe
F56 and fo, n., year. Fo ji.
This year. F5 wekei.
Next year. F6i na ipekei
w5iT»a or ib\ na a wonia
ip^kdi w5ma, The year
after next* FodfiwSngoi,
The year which is past.
Foi na iy6 dSweni ipgkei
w5ma. The year which
pajBsed before the last
Foegbete, n., field or swamp
rat
F6fo,a<fr.,very clear, bright,
open, upon sky, place;
hence in the light, openly.
Gbia fofo hii. To expose in
public s= publicly. Ipei
lo fofo hti. He did it pub-
licly
F3fo or fSfon, def. st. fpfSi,
the firmament
FOi, def. St., plu.foingfsia,n.,
mangrove-fly
FSfof , let it not happen
Fofjla, n., wasting, impo-
verishing, adversity
Fofola-mo, w., waster, spend-
thrift
FOgba, tr. v., to strike, to
whip, to flog. F5me
wumbu bi figi v5gba
FohS and fuhg, adv.,
tightly. Ingeliafohg -,
FSkpe, adv., immediately,
A rau njg I6we f^kpe
FoklS, fokul5, n., a 'bird
resembling* a partridge;
bush fowl smaller than a
kokoye
Fokuigbe, n., a vine used
to increase the strength
of Ndiivu-lo
Fgle, w., accident. jFolf
yagba^ngo mla, It is a
sad accident
F^lf, n., whistle; v., to
whistle
Fol^, n., a cane-shaped
drum
Fol^, n., lungs
Fole, w., a certain flower
FCl^ma^ n., a kind of fish
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
15
Polo, »., stm, day. Folo ye.
Fbloi gbia, The sun comes
out '= rises. Foloi bi lu
mongalo bi wa, When
the sun burns thy flesh,
i.e. feel it hot. Kina
foloi i ye giilama, As
the* sun was setting, i.e.
about 6 p.m. FolO
ngiindia, The sun in the
middle = noon. Folo
legbaa, declining. F5lo
giila, falling, setting. ' t
hitia a folo i gulango, He
arrived at sunset. A fSlo
hijengoi, about sunrise.
A f5 ngiindia, about noon.
A kpoko voi. In the
evening light = at the
eleventh hour. Mone a
wa folo yela va, kiingo 1§
foloi na va
Folbi-bu, n., under the sun
'= this world
Fologbete, n., a rat marked
with light and dark
stripes
Foma, def. st. ei, w., switch,
rod, whip. Fomf i yagba-
enga. The whip is painful
Fombo, tr. v., to expand, to
extend, spread, unroll,
unfold, to stretch; to
stand in a line. Ti
vombOngo pelei hii
F5Tnbo,'w., strong current.
Ti nja vombai hii
Fona, n., accident. Fona
i giilaa nya lokoi hii
F5nde, r?., difficult respira-
tion, asthma, hurried
breathing
Fgndo, n., perspiration,
sweat
Foni, n., grass ; def. st. fgni,
field, feeding-place
Fgnl, tr. v., to pinch with
the fingers and nails
Fonya, tr. v., to squeeze, to
wring, to press out
Fonyi, w., pus, the product
of suppuration
F6u, adv., all over
Fowa, tr. v., to fasten in the
ground in a leaning po-
sition, to pin, to fasten
with pins
Fu, intens. adv., entirely. I
pfa gbama fii. Ti we a
gbama fu. Gbama fu
nemahii, reprobate mind.
Gbama fu, none effect
Fu-hani, plu. fuhftnisia, w.,
moth ; and fiilu-hani,
insect
Fiifu, n., moth, gnat
Fiifii, n., food of cassava
grated, fermented, and
boiled
Fufulage, adj., greedy
voracious manner
Fiifule, n., fine dry dust ; a
small animal
Fufulu, plu. fufuliinga, a
small insect which de-
stroys the inside of timber
Fiigba, n., fishing-rod, line,
and hook; sound of a
whip
Fiika, tr. v., to grind, to
beat into flour, to pul-
verize
Fukf , adj., fragile, crumbly,
mealy. Kpohiii fukengo
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16
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Fuk6, n., a ring-shaped
cushion for supporting a
burden upon the head;
a rat-trap made with a
fuko; noose end and
spring-pole
Fiiko, tr. v., to form a ring,
to coil. Ngeye viiko bi
nda
Fiila, tr, v., to bore through
Fula, tr, v., to warm, to
foment^ to bathe with
warm medicated water;
to hasten^ to do more
quickly: adj., excitable,
impetuous, brave
Fula, n,, village, hamlet
Fulama, n., hole bored
Fiile, n., ring of any kind;
bubble, foam, bellows
Fiilf boko or gboko, m.,
bellows. Ta ti gbate a
hiia gole, They are made
of skins! Mende vocab.',
the wooden part of a
smith's bellows
Fiilo, tr, v., to loosen, un-
bind, untie; fulOngo, to
be loosened
Fulu, adj,, living ; nii vulu,
in health. Nya viilungo
ha keya. Fiilu-mo, ii,,
the living one
Fiirango, bad sort
Fiisele, adj., soft, without
consistence. Ndoliilango
fusele
Fiisen, adj, adv., numer-
ously, many in numbers.
Niinga ta gbia fusen
Fiita, n., name of a country
and its people
Fiivii, tr. v., to blister, to
boil, to partially roast
Fiiyu, adj., disorderly in
work, unruly in conduct.
Ngi fuyufuyungo
G
G=K
Ga, tr. v., to teach, to
learn = ka. Mu kolo ga,
Let us learn the book. Ti
bi gai la. They have
taught thee = thou hast
been taught
Gafango, to be unjust, un-
righteous
Gahu hango, to be tired.
I ngi gahu gbakpa. He
strengthened him
Ga-mo, plu. gabSla, n.,
teacher. Mu gab^la pub^
la ye le
Gaka with ma, to miss,
not to be able to recollect
or to make out some-
thing, to fail to recognize.
I g&ka nya ma. He could
not make me out
Gaka hinda, n., error, mis-
take
Gaka, v,, to fold into circles
as a snake, or as done
with a cable
Gakama, ei, n., at the side.
Nda gaka, thy own part
Gakele, n,, half. Ngi said
gakele mea
Gama, n., place, front, post,
position, in, at, towards
Gambfngo, to be naked,
stripped
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MENDE-ENQLISH VOCABULARY.
17
QeXi, tr. v., to dry, to parch,
to chap
Galo=Kalo, n,, a large
monkey
GambI, tr, v., to strip, to
make naked
Gambo, n., boy's play in
imitation of the Pgro
Gana, n., box, kettle
Ganda, adv., strongly,
* vigorously. Pe a ga-
nda
Ganga-gbalo, a sword with
a guard oVer the handle.
Ganga golu
Gangala, tr. v,, to wipe off
Ganya, intr. v., to pine
away, to become ema-
ciated
Ganyi, tr, v., to shut the
teeth tightly, to grate the
teeth. A ngi yongolulsia
yanyi kpain. Ganyiwa
ngongglu
Gao, adv., brightly
Gaon, adv., steadily
Gapu, tr. v., to devour
Gate, ei, plu. gatefsia, w.,
piece! Navo gate* ndiiwo
yfla jongo *
Gawa, tr. v., to bend back,
to strut, to draw back
the hand
Gttwama, n., privy
Gawiile higbe, n., ulcer on
the cheek
Gaye, tr. v., to confess one's
evil deeds
Gb = kp = y
Gba, adj., different, unlike,
distinct. Ngenge ji igba
na ma
Gba, adv., first, before. Be
ngi miia gba nga la li
Gba, tr. v., to stop, to hold,
to spare
Gba = kpa, plu. gbalsia, n.,
field
Gba, tr. v., to multiply
Gbaa nyahanga, n., widows
Gbagbanyene, n., spleen
Gbaha, to be unable, incapa-
ble, to fail in an attempt,
not to succeed ; adj., un-
able, exhausted
Gbaiya and gbaya, w., force,
power. Gbaya hfnda,
violence. Tr. v., to
strengthen
Gbakali, n., chair
Gbakei, n., whisker, def.
St.
Gbakolo, rt., a youth of
unusual size
Gbakpa, tr. v., to fasten, to
nail, to make fast in the
stocks ; to kneel down
Gbakpa, tr. v., to strengthen
Gbala, intr. v., to mourn, to
bewail the dead
Gbale, intr. v., to feel pain,
to ache, to grieve, to
sadden
Gbale ma-hinda, that which
pains the mind ; n.,
grievance
Gbama, ei, w., in vain, for
nothing, gratuitously ; to
be or to have something
in common; to come to
nought, dependant. Sa-
mangesia ti dewei lo nu
gbangesia ma *
Gbamaile, conj., for, be-
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18.
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
cause, because of, there-
fore, for that reason
Gbamaile be, notwithstand-
ing, although
Gbamango, to be in
common, to be unprofit-
able
Gbambi, w., form
Gbande, tr. v., to rebuke
Gbandi, the name of a
country
Gband5, adj., precious,
costly; ba gbSndo, not
cheap
Gbangao, or gbangau, or
gbangaon, the sound of a
kettle when struck; the
voice of the crocodile
Gbango, plu. gbangoisia,
things of much value
Gbanya, w., nippers, pincers,
blacksmith's tongs
Gbanyenye, w., the pepper
plant
Gbao, intr. v., to cry out
in* pain or surprise, to
scream
Gbasonde, w., a small green
frog, tree frog
Gbata, n., a piece of board
made with a handle, used
by women when wash-
ing
Gbate, tr. v., to make, to
prepare
Gbav$ = kpavS, tr. v., to
catch with the hand, to
raise up, to toss; to. sad-
den, as one's heart. Ngi li
i gbavoa. Her heart be-
came sad. Nya U ela, a
gbavo leke
Gbawele, or gbawe, w., hat
Gbawu, n., bridge, handle;
fagi gbawu, brass handle
Gbaya, tr. v., to strengthen,
to be strong, stronger.
Ngi mbai gbayango ngi-
ma
Gbe = kpe, n. and v., busi-
ness, work ; to be engaged
with. Nya gbengo. Kpe
lonya ma
Gbe, tr. v., to stop from
doing, to cease, to leave
off; to be in need of
Gbe, pron., what. Be gbe ?
Gbe hani lo aji ?
Gbe, tr. v., to drive away
Gbe and gbena, to hush,
to cease from mourning
Gbegbe, w., parrot
Gbegbe, plu. gbegbeisia, n.,
cockroach, frog
Gbegbega-16, w., bug
Gbegi, n., gorilla
Gbeh§, n., a square-shaped
seat, made from the stalks
of a kind of palm, bench ;
also gbehgn
Gbehg, n.y and gbee, adj.,
numerous, crowded. Mu
gbehengo peleihii
Gbeke, w., a play of children
Gbekpe, intr. v., to become
good, to improve ; to
succeed, to develop, to
ripen, to prosper ; to yield
well ; to sift
Gbekpe = yekpe,;?row.,self.
Nya gbekpe, myself
Gbekp§, to cluck like a
hen
Gbekpf yo, w., advantage
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MENBE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY,
19
Gbela^ ei, n,, commniiica-
tion
Gbe-le, what is it? a show-
isgof a cause. Bi gbele
gbia
Gbele, tr. v., to leave, to
desert, to forsake, to re-
fuse ; to dismiss, send
away; abstain; despise
Gbelen, adv,y quickly, sud-
denly, heavily
Obeli, to shake; with ndoloi,
earthquake
Gbelinyo, w., some kind of
grain. Kuskus
Gbemango, to be barren
Gbembele, n., board, plank
Gb^mbo,* tr, v., to disen-
tangle, loosen, explain ;
to answer ; to withdraw.
Gbembongo, to be re-
moved '
Gbembo, w., explanation,
answer. Gbembolsia
Gbemo, n., some kind of
tree
Gben = kpen
Gbenbeli or gbengbeli, n.,
small drum
Gbengbeyawu, plu. -isia, w.,
bug
Gbende, n., some sort of
dance
Gbfnde, intr. v., to run
swiftly, as a strong
current
Gbende, n. some kind of
fish
Gbende, tr. v., to tarry, to
doubt, to wait ; to hinder,
to delay, to retard
Gbendo le, stop a little
Gbendoiile, hold, stop, wait
Gbene, tr, v., fo scrape as
a roasted cassada ; n.,
white spots, scar
Gbenga, gbengo, to be
obliged; in need of, in
want of. Ti mu gbe-
nga
Gbengba, to prove uncon-
querable, become des-
perate, infuriated
Gbenge and gbengeme, n.,
yesterday. Mu waa be
indo gb§ngem§
Gbenge, adj\, cracked, split
Gbenge-giila, to uncover
Gbengu, w., evening dance .
Gbeni, w., the leading
animal in a drove; the
person that excels all
others
Gbenje, ei, w., porch
Gbenye,*^r. v., to frown,
scowl, contracting the
eyebrows; to disfigure,
to distort
Gbeva, pron., what for ?
why ? Gbe va lo bi
wani?
Gbi = kpi
Gbl, n,, rudder; gbe hou,
to steer
Gbi, with the def. form, all,
every one ; with the indef.,
no, no one, not any
Gbia, intr, v., to come out,
to flow out ; tr., to show,
to explain. See Kpia.
Gbiala, verb, w., driving
out
Gbia-hu, adj., tall. Ker§
na ngi gbiahUngo
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20
MENDE-EKGLIBH VOCABULARY..
Gbiaye, n., likeness, image
Gbili, V. v., to darken as a
cloud with rain
Gbindi, n., night; v., to
darken, to avoid see-
ing, to treat slightingly.
I ngi yame gbindia nya
ma
Gbindig5, a night attack
Gbingima, ei, n., yesterday
Gbini gbiniigoi, plu. gbini-
ngoa, untoward, perverse
things
Gbo = kpo
Gbo, tr, v., to help, to
assist, to aid ; to partake
of. Ti gbo nya ma. Ndo-
poi a gbo lo bi ma
Glx) and gbo lo, interrog.
pron,, why? why is it?
Gbololeyelahou? Why
dost thou not catch one?
Gbo bi loila? What, then,
dost thou want? Gbo i
weni a hake ji ?
Gb9ieo, w., a small bird
supposed to utter the
voice of spirits
Gbogbo, w., Aibecte, pre-
sent; demanded by the
Poro yftfa
Gbogbouhinda, w., or hinda-
gb5 gbou, misery
Gb6g6 and gb6w6 w., lock
Gb5ji,* n,, plum' tree and
fruit
Gbokolo, intr, v., to be or to
grow old. Gbok6la-gbo-
kSlefeia, ta gbongbO,
sc)nie kind of borer
Gbokpoma, ei, w., hem
Gloku, intr.'v.y to shoot^ to
spring forth, as a treer
shooting
Gbole, mtr. v., to kiss
Gb6li, n., worm
Gboma, adv., again, another
time, once more. I kpe
a gboma
Gbomba, w., an article given
as a pledge for pay-
ment
Gbomgbato, w., sour orange
Gbombo, tr, v., to smear:
Ngi ngiiloi gbomboa koloi
ma
Gbon, adv., very much,
largely, severely, in-
tensely
Gbonda, tr. v., to squeeze
Gbondo, n., drum
Gbongbo, as, hani gbongbo
kota
Gbongboni, n., wasp
Gbongboto, n., pelican
Gbonge, adv., abundantly
Gbongon, n., the sound of a
bell
Gbonjo, n., Sande dance;
the name of a plant
Gb:>nu, n., leader. Poro
yafa yela.
Gbonye, intr. v., to murmur
Gb5ro,* tr. v., to swear, to
imprecate evil; in attes-
tation of the truth; to
take an oath ; to charge,
to adjure
G43orua? Indiiwu gborua
a kolegongo
Gbotongo, to be many
Gbotu, adj., thick
Gboula, nya gboulei va, for
my burial
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MENDfi-SNOLISH VOGABULART.
21
Obonngo = gbownngo, tired,
to feel tired
Gbovo, tr, v., to depopulate,
to iiiake desolate, to lay
waste
Gbgvu, tr, v., to dry a little,
to dry half, used of leaves
for thatch
Gbowa, intr. v., to become
deranged; to deceive, to
impose upon. Igboani =
gbbwani. He is not de-
ranged
Gbowoisia, n., ankle-bones
Gbowu, intr. v., to be tired.
I gbowua ngi ma. She is
tired of thee. I gbowua
a nya ma. To be hard,
difficult
Gbowu, to ripen, to come
to maturity
Gb5wula,n., burying, burial
GbSye, «., sea
GbQyo, tr, v., to finish, to
complete, to be perfect;
to have spent all ; to end.
Ngi hamei gboyo a wue,
I will spend the rainy
season with you
Gbii = kpii
Gbu, adv., all night, the
usual time of rest. I yie
lo gbii. I yl gbii a kplndi
na
Gbu, n., a small dark bird
Gbii, w., shed, hut. Ti yl
gbii. They slept in the
shed
Gbii, w., a whole piece, piece
Gbiie, ad'K, last night. Ti
waa gbiie
Gbuja, in^r. v., to jump. I
gbiijo njei hfi, leap down,
send down
Gbiila, tr. v., to miss. Gbiila
ma. May it miss = Grod
forbid !
Gbiile, tr, v,, to move, re-
move
Gbulugu, ctdv,, straight-
way
Gbiiyf , n., a narrow piece
of cloth round the waist
Gbuwai, in the sentence
Bora. ii. 22, ba ngafa
gbuwai. Thou abhorrest
idols
Gbiinde, tr, v., to pounce
upon, to Feize, to grasp,
to usurp, to lay hold on.
Ti gbunde ngi ma
Gbiindo, intr, v., to swell, to
break out as an eruption
in the skin
Ge, suffix in the formation
of ordinal numerals, ae,
ihalage, the first ; ifelege,
the second. I iQluge
le
Ge, adv, of time, some time
since, then, before, long
ago. Ngi ndeilo ge bi ma,
ng§ bape, I hp-ve told thee
hefore, already, long ago,
that thou Shalt not do
it
Ge, tr, v., to show, point
out, make known. A ngi
vull ge a ngi ndf ngesia
Gebaure, n., hat
Gege, plu. gegelsia, gegea,
kind, sort Hegbe gege.
Various kinds of diseases
Gtege, adv,, the day preced-
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22
MENDE-BNGLISH VOCABULARY.
ing the last, but used
with larger limitations
Gegela, w., deadness. In
the sentence Rom. iy. 19,
Sara ngi goi gegelei
Gelf , w., a Mnd of kite
Gele, n,, end
Gele, tr. v., to stop, to end.
A gele be, Stop ye here
Gelela* n,, ieadness
Gelema, ei, n., end
Gelii, intr. v., to faint, to be
weakened ttirough faint-
ness, to fall into a trance
Gembe, adj., indigestible,
to remain undigested, to
cause pain through indi-
gestion; ba hanime, a bi
gohui gembe
Gena, tr, v., to see. Wu
gena wovelsia ta h5nga.
Your old men shall have
dreams
Gende, tr. v., to give up,
deliver up
Gendebele, tr. v., to roll, to
turn from side to side in
the restlessness of sickness
Gene, n., saw ; and genene
Gerene, not a few
Gete, a species of rice with
short grains
Getete, adv., tightly. I ngl-
lia getete
Geve, tr. v., to bury tem-
porally in a shallow grave
Gowele, various, different
kinds ; gewelelsia gbi,
all manner of*
Gewo and gowo, to warm
one's self by the fire
Gr, adv., tandem, aliquando
Gigbo, n., a shrub bearing a
red edible fruit, called
baking fire
Gigl, plu. gigfeia, n. waggon
Giji, n., Kissey country.
Glji-yia, language of Kis-
sey people
Gllr, n., wax from the comb
of dagbesia, gizzard
Gili, n., deV. st. gilisia, white
ant, bugabug, bug
Glli, n., kidney
Grli nye, n., queen of the
white ants
Gili, adj., still, .inactive;
way, manner. Ngi yenge
gili mla
Gill, tr. v., to think, to
remember, to recall with
sorrow
Gllila hani or hinda, verb, n.,
remembrance
Glluma, n., skin
Gima-gbohu, «., the outside
of grain, as of rice
Ginde, tr. v., to start from a
place running, to com-
mence running, to make
a sudden start caused by
fear
Gr3, v., to conceive. Ke i
gonga. Silo i ngi gonga
a ngakuisia leke
Go, tr. v., to fight, to war.
Ta hele go, n., war
Go, tr. v., to give, to present
with , to bestow. Go, goa,
gonga-ngo. I ti goi lo a
nali. He had given them
a sign. I ti goa a mehe
Grode, tr. v., to tempt
Gofe, w., trousers
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
23
Qogo, n,, foam. A bi wu
gokoi wote lo a ndQ gbole
haka ngi tuII yei
Grogoe and gggo, fialiya.
Grogoe a gbia ngi la
Gogole and gokole, w., cock-
crow. Te hiiiei g5k5Iea,
The cock crew*
Gogoli, adj., white, very
white. Ite gogoli, wiimbu
G^hiine, inir. v., to rejoice,
to be joyfal, glad
Groko, or ngn gokoi hindf i,
the place of a skull
GokQ, tr, v., to doubt, to hesi-
tate
Gola, tr. v., to take by
surprise, to appear un-
expectedly. I gola ngi
ma. He met him unex-
pectedly, as it were by
chance
Gola or nde gola, to tell lies
Golagbawolsia, soldiers
Gole, tr, v.y to divide, to
share, to separate. A ngi
johanlsia gole lo
Gole, intr. v., to look out
Goli, tr, v., to pluck. Ta
ipbwesia goli
Goli, tr, v., to buy a wife.
Ti ye nyaha goli, To get,
to obtain, to pluck fruit
Golio, an expression of
praise
Golo, n., barricade; ngulu
golo, made of trees ; dSda
golo, made of earth
Go\o and goro, tr, v,, to obey,
to submit,* to be obedient
G5ma, ei, w., feast ; the place
of feasting. Eg nyaha jo
gSmei i hitia k§ yakpe.
Then the marriage feast
began at once
Groma, ei, w., the left hand
or side
Groma, plu. gomesia, ft., crow
Gomba, n, (ngumba), house
top
Gombo, n., tobacco pipe
'made of clay
Gk)mbu, w., abdomen
GrOme, tr. v., to assemble, to
meet together, to convene
Gomi-la, n., kiss
G5na, to introduce one's
self, to make obeisance ;
to deliver a message. Wa
bi gona, Come, make your
introduction
Gondi, intr, v., to snore
Gond6-vofo, w., a large
black beetle
Gondo-gondo.n., valley. Mu
hitia gondo-gpndo hii
Gone, n., cat. Ngi yini kina
gone na
Gongo, plu., young men
Gongo, n.,a, kind of tree, or
large grass
Gongo) oi, the chariot
G6nu,' ti kale gonuni
Gonyo, plu. gonyolsia, «.,
enemy
Goro, w., a general name
for defensive walls and
fences
Goro, ei, n,, gate
Gove, intens, adv., very.
Kpokolongo gove
Gove,* to be angry. Ti ll ti
gove a kpan, They were
fuUof wrath
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24
MENDE-BNGLISH VOCABULARY.
Gdwo, irUr, v., to fly ; to Bub-
'mit, to be obedient. Ti
gowongo wu we
Gowo, oi, submission, low-
liness, humiliation
Gu = ku
Gu, n,, smell, scent
Gu, v., to be able, can; to be
sufficient, enough, gungg.
Ke ti guni a ngi baola.
Nge bi lahi gu
Gu and gua, or gbuS, to
dance. Tialo guama
Gu, tr. v., to embrace
Gua, tr. v., to put on ; im-
Eerat ngua, put it on,
ence wa, as, Bi gur§i
wa,Put on thy garments;
to thrust in, lead in ; to
imitate, to institute, to
mak^
GuSi, def. st. of Ku, last
night, yesterday
Giiha, adj,, long, far, distant,
tall. P§16i huhango.
Ilo giiha
Gula, tr, v., to fall upon ; to
drop, to throw down
Gills, w., play of children in
imitation of Sande
Giilo, li gulo, to go before =
prevent
Giima, n,, sandflies
Gumb6, n., coat, shirt; to
fall down
Gunengo, to emit a bad
smell, to stink. In Luke
xxiv. 1, ti wa ahani gu-
nengolsia, they brought
spices, it has a meaning
the reverse to it
Guro = gulo, post, position.
before. Ngi guro, before
him. Ti lani ngi gulo.
They laid wait for him
Guru = Kuru, tr. v., to ac-
cept, to grant ; to put up
with, make the best of a
thing
Giitu, adj,, short, small, a
part or portion of a thing.
Pel§ giitu lo na, ke pel^
guha lo na. There isa short
and there is a long way.
Ngi giitiingo ye If, He was
short. Hu giitiingo, short
time, shortly
Ha, def. st. hei, plu. hfisia,
suffix denoting the femi-
nine gender : as, mbala
sheep; mbala ha, ewe;
nika ha, cow
Ha, cujIv,, to-day, during the
day ; or time, while : also
halo. Ke kina ha gi
wema,But while that was
being done
Ha, def. st. h^ and hf i, n.,
death
Ha, intr. v., to die, to tire,
to languish; to be dull,
faint, powerless, dead.
Ha gbiiko, deatiibed.
Hango, to be dying or
dead. Numu hango, dead
person. Tye hauiha, he
IS dead. Ha-gbe, death-
time. Prov., Te'l^i pebu
I iigi hagbf go. Ti nje
ha wo gbo. Ba hama-
moi, Thou undying, i.e.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABY.
25
invincible, man I Ti lu-
wui hii a ha, They should
not be weary or faint.
Ha-hinda, n,y destruction.
Ha-liiwu, mortal body
Ha, to grieve, be grieved.
Kq i ha yona Igmei gbon,
Andit grieved Jonah very
much. Ha-wele, house
of death
Saga, ei, w., piece, as. Kola,
cloth ; tr. v., to wear out,
to become ragged, to be-
come weakened, worn
out ; ragged, lazy
Haga, tr, v., to cut up, away ;
to shape, to fit ; to carve
from wood ; as, haga-
ndende, the carving a
canoe
Haga konda, mortar. Ha-
ga hua, to flay or cut an
animal into pieces
Hagapele, to clean or brush
the grass from the road
Hagf , hagei, that which is
mortal
Hagba, ei, plu. hagbaa or
hagba, def. st. hagbelsia,
n., a mat made of fine
reeds. Hagba-lamo, one
who spreads the mat
Hagbe WUI9, n., the smallest
kind of antelope; also
Hege, ei
Hagbf, ei; plu. hagbenga,
hagbeisia ; n., rabbit, pro-
bably weasel or fox.
Hagbe wuloha, fem., doe ;
hagbe WUI9 hina, masc,
buck, plu. hagbe wiiluisia.
Hagbe hila gatpngo mla
nddgbei hii ngi mbanga
lla,* ndumu glx)ungo, kQ
ye miimu kloa yendova
na ngoli wgnga. The
weasel is a cunning ani-
mal of the forest among
its companions, whose
skin is brown, whose feet
are small like a spindle,
its ears loug
Hainjo, n., one whose initia-
tion into Poro or Sande
is completed, and he
appears ornamented
Haka, ei; plu. haka, hake-
isia ; n., load, thing, uten-
sil of any kind, as, bowl,
box, tub, cask, bier,
shovel, sword, etc. Mu
hakfisia hUgbake, Let us
prepare, get ready our
things. Haka mini, plu.
haka minia, heavy load,
loads, the adj. assuming
the plu. form
Haka, to be void ; hakango,
to be empty. The calf
of the leg; atJlj. empty.
Sani ji, hakango. This
bottle is empty
Hako, n., hail, frost
Hakpa, plu. hakpeni, n.,
herbs, vegetables, greens,
beans, fruit
Hakpa, n., breath; Mende
vocabulary, the length
at which native cloth
is cut from the web for
sewing
Haku, w., tortoise, turtle
Hala, verb, n., dying, death.
Bi hala mia ba l9lila ?
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26
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Hala, n,, first. Ndopoi iha-
lage
Hala, n,, an eel-shaped fish
Hala, ei, n,, the first. Hala
"wuru wua, ei, firstfruit.
Hala genpre/ plu. ihala-
geJsia. ' Njla halei, the
first or former word,
speech
Hale, w., medicine, charm,
fetish ; to prescribe, pre-
pare medicine: plu. hajea,
haleisia
Halemo,«., charmer, doctor.
Gbe lo halemo a pela ? I
hona dea hindoi ji ria. Ta
higbemoi halema
Ha-lo-ha, adverb, expres.,
up to this day
Hama, w., waist. Hama yeli,
to gird one's self. The
rainy season from May
to October. Hama hu I
le. Ngi hamei gboyo a
wue, I will winter with
you
Hama, infin., to die, and
the place of dying
Hama, ei, n., waist ; hama
gula, waist-cloth ; hama-
gola, belt. Ihamagoloho
ngie. A ngi hamei ylll
Hambo, tntr, v., to gape, to
have the mouth open
involuntarily through
drowsiness, to yawn
Hambo, w., a utensil of bas-
ket wood for drying fish
or meat over the fire
Ha-mo, plu. habSla, habele-
Isia, n., dead person,
corpse
Handa, ei, n., matter, be-
haviour, way and manner
of acting, event. The
same as hinda
Hange ndlma = nengo, to
be pleasing, sweet
Hango, to be dead, tired,
weak. Nya liihu hango.
My inside or flesh is weak,
languishing. Hango, plu.
hangoa; niimu hangoa,
dead persons
Hani, def. st. haul; plu.
hania, hanlsia ; n., thing,
something, any inanimate
object, some matter, etc.
Ngi hani venga mahei we.
Used also* of irrational
creatures ; as, ndogba
hania, beasts of the
forest. Hani gbi, all
things, everything, what-
soever. Hani gbl, not'
anything, nothing ; as,
Hani gbl nya yeya a fela
bi ye. There is nothing in
my hands, i,e, I have
nothing to give thee.
Hani gbi nya nema-hii
gboma, Nothing is in my
mind again = I have
nothing mord to say.
Hani matongo, some-
thing added = usury.
Hani manlngo If, to be
greedy, covetous.* Hani
gbia-mo, n,, extortioner.
Hani majia woma, with-
out charge
Hani-mani, desirous of
gain, acquisitive, miserly
Hani-male-mo, one who
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
27
claims to receive wealth
by the aid of spirits
Hani-ll-mo, a covetous man,
miser
Hani-wa, Pgro yafa, malig-
nant spirit, hobgoblin
Hani-hola, w., a present
from * an unexpected
source
Hape, n., root. Ngoi i hape
wllia. Ngiilu hapelsia.
Hapengo, to be rooted
Hare, tiq. hale. Hare gbat§-
rao = hale* etc.
Hauhau, adv., flashingly,
throbbingly. A gbale
hauhau
Hawa, i.q. haga, to carve,
excavate, to make
Hawa, adj.y lazy, slow
Hawango, to be lazy, tired,
fatigued
Hawango kotua, engraven
in stones
Hayije and hayle, n., the
slow breathing as life
terminates. Ta hayle
lema
He, intr. v., to pray, to
worship. Wa mu he. A
mu li mu he
He, def. st. hei, plu. heisia,
prayer. Bi* hei meningo
le. Thy prayer is heard.
Ti nya hei menia. They
heard, i.e. iny prayers are
heard
Hega, w., convulsion, fit
Hege, i.q. mbawa, w., soap
Hege, def. st. hegei; plu.
hegenga, hegefsia; some
kind of black deer
Hegili, w., state, affair. He-
gili gbatengo If, We are
prepared
Hehe doli, to speak loud,
to preach
Hehema, n., slender amphi-
bious fish, said to make
a nest upon the bank
above the water
Hei and hS, intr. v., to sit,
sit down.' Ti he sfmelei
bu. Hi he-wiili*bu ny^-
poi i heima. He goes under
the bench the woman is
sitting OD. Hei, mu mbei
me. Tr., to set, to place,
cause to sit, reside, dwell
at a place. Ti ngi hei
t5i mahu, They set him
on the horse. To live, to
subsist, to have one's
competency. Niimuehei
leke kpohuva, Man does
notsubsist on bread alone.
Henga, put on. I henga
ndoloi ma, He sat on the
ground = down. Isale
hf inga ti ma. He told them
a parable. A wu hei gili
gbata
Hei,def.st.of hani = hai gbe
* hei va ? for what reason
Hei,'w., sitting down in a
state of competence, in-
dependence. Ta hei hvu
Hei-biliya, n., circumcision
Hfi-doli, to call loudly, to
preach
Hei-hou, tr. v., to carry, to
bear
Hei-wfilu, n., footstool
H|ila, verb, w., sitting down
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28
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Heilenga, n., evening twi-
light
Heima, ei, n., the place of
habitation, seat, resi-
dence, abode, possession,
inheritance
Heima nani, fourfold ; a
hema hondo yela, hun-
dredfold
Heimbe, n., crown, shield,
'king(iom ; tr. v., to reign
Hei-mo, w., one possessed
of means to live at ease
Heini, tr. v., to have the
rule or reign over
Heinyo, n., neighbour
H|ke, n., a large wild ani-
mal, perhaps buffalo
Heke, tr, v., to swerve from,
to'err
Heke, int. v., to lie on the
side
Hele, helei, w., pledge ; nga-
fei hel|i, earnest of the
spirit
Helf, ei, plu. hellnga,
hfleisia, w., elephant.
Hefe ygngolu, plu. ygngo-
luisia, elephant's teeth,
ivory
Hele, tr, v,, to hang one,
something. I ngi viili
hele
Hele, tr, and tntr, v., to
trouble, be troubled. Si
helea,The heart is troubled
= IS faint, discouraged,
in a state of suspense
Hele-nyanya, w., loose sand,
quicksand
Hema, n., place of worship
Hema-gotu, n,, stone wor-
shipped as the represen-
tative of spirits
Hembei, n., kingdom, do-
minion. Nya hembei i
ngebu, crown
Hemo-ngafa mo, w., idolater
Hemo, 71., worshipper, a
person praying
Hemu, n., torch, candle,
anything giving light
Henga, henge, n., dream.
Henge i ngi wiii hubiii lo.
Hf hg| hiige
Henga-mo, n., dreamer
Hfngo biliya, n,, circum-
cision
Heni, i,q, hini, husband
Hewe, n., prayer
Hewu, to be equal
Hi, tr, v., to sow, to plant.
Ti ya tanga hima
Hi, plu. hinga, w., male off-
spring. Kena yela mla
wg hi-lenga fel^ ti ngi
yeya
Hibgilopo, w., manservant
Higbe, intr. v., to sicken, to
be sick, to suffer pain
Higbe and higbe hii, n.,
sick, sickness ; higbe-
higbe, adv,, sickly
Higbe-gcge, plu. gegeisia,
various kinds of diseases
Higbe-mo, sick person.
Halemoi i waa higbemoi
halema
Higbo, w., a kind of wasp
which builds an open
nest
Higi, w., plu. higia, hill of
white ants
Hija, tr. v., to beat as rice, to
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MEMDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
2^
strike against with horn
or foot, to toss. Nikf
i ngi hrjoa a ngi lowo
Hlje, mtr.v, yio rise, arise, to
start up, to come from,
to move away. L6I9
hijengoi, the time about
9 a.m. I hljeni na, he
came from. Hljema kun a
hai-hii, in the resurrec-
tion of the dead. Gba-
maile a hij^ kpelei ji
ma = for from hence-
forth
Hljema, ei, w., rising. Wu
f5loi hijemei lo. That ye
may see the rising of the
sun ,
Hika-go, n., heavy protrud-
ing abdomen
Hiko, tr, v., to roar, to hum,
to sound, as an oar in the
water or wings in the air ;
the noice of the njahelf .
I li hikoma nje hii
Hikpe, intr. v., to groan, to
grunt, as in pain; n.,
affliction
Hilo, n., son. Ngi nje hllo
yakpe, a ngie. The* only
son of his mother
Hilopo, w., boy. Ma houngo
hilopoisia gbi golo ga
Hi-mo, n.y sower. Tiihani
himo i lini hima
Himo, w., a society of men
and women for worship-
ping spirits
H ina, def. st. hinei ; plu. hi-
nga, hinelsia ;* suffix de-
noting the masculine
gender of nouns, male.
Nje hina, male goat =
buck ; bala hIna, ram.
Kola hIna, tok9 yu6 hIna,
thumb
Hinda, f i, plu. hindelsia, n.,
place, matter, affair, con-
cern, thing, business,
eonduct, behaviour ; with
we, doing. Hindei Ji we-
hlndei I gbegbeni, This
man's conduct is not
good. Nya wf-hfnda gbe-
gbengo. My conduct is
good. Hindei na ngiy§
taloni a gala na. The
place that = where I be-
gan to learn there. Ngi
nya navoi-hlnda molea, I
inquire into my money
matters. Hinda-we, to
do something. Gbefilnda
lo ba pe na ? Hinda gbi
ngi ma* There is nothing
the matter with him.
Ngi ji we-hlnda gbi va, I
will not do that for any-
thing. Hinda ya na. It is
nothing. Gbo hmda gbo-
ma ? What thing again =
what ^Ise? I hinda go-
koli, He sought an oppor-
tunity
Hinda nyamu, n., bad thing,
misdeed, fault, sin. Nya
hinda nyamu ga na, bi
hinda nyamu mla. It is
my fault, not thine
Hinda gege, curious things,
many tricks, sharp prac-
tice. Tonya-hlnda, n.,
truth, righteousness, jus-
tice. NdiUa-hlnda, n. ,
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30
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
rottenness. Mamauma-
hinda, n,, sorrow
Hinda nyamu-mo and
wemo, one that does
what is bad, evil-doer,
transgressor, sinner
Hinda male, n., bereave-
ment, deprivation
Hinda gbou-gbou, n., a dis-
tressing event, affliction,
misfortune, calamity
Hinda wanda, w., a good
deed, kindness, benevo-
lence
Hinda yekpe, n., a good
event, good fortune, com-
mendable act
Hindo, def. st. hindoi, plu.
hin'ga, n,, male being,
man, vir, Ta hindpya hii
Hindo-boilopo, plu. bgilo-
poa awc^ boiloponga, bgi-
lopolsia, 71., servant boy,
male servant
Hindo-lo, def. st. plu. hlndo-
loisia,' n., son. Bi hIndo
llngesia ti lole ?
Hindo-liiwa, plu. lowoisia,
n., male slave
Hinga, plu. form, men,
males
Hini, i,q, h§ni,plu. hlnlnga,
n., husband. Hini If nga
felea, two sons. Also
husband's brother or
sister
Hini-mo, she that has a
husband
Hita, w., bug; some kind
of insects resembling
white ants which are
eaten by the natives
Hite, tr. and intr, v., to
reach to, arrive at ; to let
down, to drop; consult,
to put together. Ti wii
hitea ta ti nyonyo. They
bowed their heads to-
gether among themselves
= consulted together. Ti
wu hitenga ngi va =
against him. To create, to
commit fornication, play
the harlot
Hite-lo, n., bastard child
Hite nyaha ; plu. hite nya-
hanga, nyahangesia, and
merely hit§mo ; prosti-
tute, harlot, whoremonger
Hiti, the same as hite, to
reach to, to approach to.
Ipelei i hitia. The time
is at hand; to be or
become perfect. Na hi-
tinga i wala. That which
is perfect shall come.
Niimu Mtingo, To be a
perfect man
Hiye, affirm, adv., yes,
indeed
Hiye and hije, to arise, to
start up, to come from,
to move away. I hijenga
ndou or ndgwu. He is
risen from the dead
Ho, tr, v., to sew; homo,
one who sews. Kula
hQmo, tailor ; also holo, to
sew together
Ho, tr, v., to knock, to dash
against. Hga of a great
wind rising. To stone, to
hit with stones or other
missiles
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
31
Ho, adv., then. I ye na ho ?
How is it, then? Ye lo
ho? Who is it, then ?
Hoa = hiia
Hoboli, w., riddle, enigma
Hoe, interrog, 'part, = shall
we?
Hogba = hokpa, w., nose
Hogbo = hokpo, w., navel,
umbilicus
Hojo, w., white clay, chalk.
Hojo polo gogele mia
ny ahanga ta gbia kpongbo
va ti liima
Hoke, ei ; plu. hokea, hoke-
isia; n,, guinea fowl.
Hoke ha-hoke-hina
Hokpa, w., nose, point;
tapering, growing and
immature. Ngiiru ho-
kpango
Hokpe, n., the passage of
the* serpent's teeth
through which she throws
the poison in biting
Hokpaya, hokpa-teni, snot
Hokpo yeya, w., umbilical
cord
Hgkpo, whole, undivided.
Gbembele hokpo, ear.
Nyg hgkpo
Hgla, verb, n., knocking,
gnashing. Ngongolu ho-
longa
Hola, tr, v., to strain out,
to filter, to leak, to per-
colate
Hola-hani, n., strainer, fil-
ter, leach
Hole, w., a tree and its gum
used in catching birds
Holima = hgu-li ma, to
keep the heart, «.e. to
bear with, to be patient.
Niimui na a hinda hgull
ma
Hombo, w., a substitute for
salt, made by boiling the
leached product of the
ashes of the palm leaf
stalk
Homo-homo-yia, «., a mut-
tering complaint uttered
in the throat
Hona (dea), to bewitch, to
practice witchcraft ; to
injure persons, animals,
and products by secret
evil practices
Hona, w., the spleen of one
supposed to have slain
others by witchcraft, any
unusual and secret power
Honde, n., a spinose suc-
culent plant much used
as a vegetable
Hondo, num, adj., hundred
Hota, n. plu. hotanga,
stranger, guest, visitor; v.,
to visit, to come on busi-
ness, lya hotoma hinda
nyamu-mo ma. I hota
numui ma. He is the guest
of a man
Hotango, to be a stranger
to. Hou ndima, modera-
tion, restraint
Hota ke, w., host, landlord
H6ta-nje, n., hostess, land-
lady * '
Hota wele, w., inn
H6u, tr, v., to catch, to seize
upon, to lay hold on, to
take for, to believe, to
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
observe, to regard, to
intoxicate. Ndo i ngi
houa. Wu ngi houni a
tonya, Ye have not be-
lieved in him. Houngo,
to consist. Mu ninangu
hou a mani. H5ama
wnfingo^ to treat shame-
fully
Hou-hani, n., goods seized
H5u-hou, tr, v., to feel with
the hand
Houkpambn, to bring a
slave child for payment
Houma, n., the place where
anything is caught
Houmba, tr, v., to hold
upon, to retain in hand
Houmo, w., the person who
catches, etc.
Hou-ndlma, w., longsuffer-
ing, forbearance
Houni, to be fit, becoming,
lawful, suitable
Howa, w., a reed the leaf of
which is used with offer-
ings to twins
Howa, howango, to be lazy,
slow
Howe, w., a little time since
Hii, def. st. hiii, the interior
of anything, inside. Nya
hii, my inside, mind, feel-
ing. Nya hii i wu, my
mind rises = I wooder, am
astonished. It also seems
to signify the air, sky,
atmosphere, and time ;
Ger. mal. In the latter
sense it appears connected
with the ordinal numerals,
as, hii yela, hii wofela.
Hii gbdtoma = gb^toma,
some times = sometimes.
Hii I l^mbf ni. It was not
a long time. As a pre-
position it has almost
every conceivable mean-
ing of prepositions, as, in,
out, upon, etc. Hii, n.,
impart meaning. Na hii
lo a gbo ? Hii yakpe, the
same time. A wa hii wu
njlo yelo le ti ma. Enter
ye into it and tell them
one word, i.e. consult to-
gether and give your
opinion or decision. Na
hii no a gbf ? The inside
of that is what ? = what
is the meaning of that ?
Hii, containing much; mbe
hiingo. Mbahu, seed rice.
Nil hu wa a ngie, one of
much influence' or of
many good deeds
Hii, def. st. hiii, plu. hiinga,
n.y seed. Tu ti ndoloi
hii hinda nyani
Hiia, def. st. huei ; plu. hua-
nga, nuangeisia, beast or
creature of the forest,
meat. Hiia demanga,
tame animals, or animals
accustomed to the town.
Hiia gQw5 nania, four-
footed beasts. Hiia-ha-
wa-mo, one who slaugh-
ters animals, butcher.
Hiia-lo, a young animal.
Hiia wiimbu, fresh meat.
Hua be, dried meat
Hiibe, tr. v., to air, to sun,
to dry. Mbf hii-bf
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MENDE-EXGLISH VOCABULARY.
33
Hubo, n,, poison ; tr. v.y to
poison. Ta moi na i
iigi mbai hubou^a. Hu-
bomo, w., poisoner. Also
hubono
HuM, tr, v., to accuse. I
Djia hubua ngi ma
Hubii, tr, v,, to perplex, to
astonish, to bewilder, to
confose; astonished, be-
wildered. Hindei ji i ngi
•wiii hiibuni
Hndewe and hulewe, tr, v,,
to* cut into, to cut in
pieces, to be hasty
Hue and huei, def .st. hua,
beast of the* forest, animal,
meat
Huganiingo, adj\, crooked
Hugbatela, ei, verb, n,, pre-
paration
Hugbe, tr. v., to look into,
over, guard, watch, to
examine. I petei hugbeni
ngi va. He doe's not look
in the road for him =
when he looketh not or
does not expect him. To
search out, to discern, to
prove. Hugbfimo, w.,
guardian, keeper, pro-
tector, overseer
Hugbe, tr, v,, to choke, to
press, to throng. Hugbe-
ngo, to be straitened
Hugbela, ei, verb, n,, ex-
pectation
Hngbehe, tr, v., to crowd
Hugbi, adv,, c(Hnmonly
Hugbekpe, to go and search
into, to sift out, to explain
clearly
Hugbengo, narrow. ' Pele
la hugbengoi, the narrow
road
Hugbia, tr, v., to take out
from, to narrate, to weed,
to comb, to empty
Hugbindingo, to be dark,
that which is not clear
Hugbonda, internally held,
forced, constrained, co-
erced
Hugbiiku, having a cavity
Huge, tr, V,, to explain, to
unfold, to relate, to show,
grove, to sell £i ll ma
uge a-ngf
Hugo, tr, v., to understand,
to taste, to tempt. HugQ
hulingo. Bi na hugo lo ?
Hugolo, tr.v,, to understand,
to comprehend, to per-
ceive
Hugo, hugoi, plu- hugoisia,
w., temptation. Hugo-
hinda. Gbamailehugoisia
ti walo a tgnya. Because
temptations are sure to
come
Hugiihango tunu, the place
is too far distant
Hugiilungo, shortly
Hugutiingo kallo, a short
time
Huha, tr, v., to tire, to be-
come weary; tired, weary
Huhg, tr. v., to spare. Nge
hubg, I will not spare
Huhei, adj,, bent, crooked,
sagged, settled
Huhei, tr, v., to divide
equally, as food among
several persons
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MENDE-ENGT.I8H VOCABULARY.
Huhele, tr. v., to cause to
fear, to terrify, to frighten
Hui, adv,, near to, in the
region
Hnjukulu,<r.t;., to spend pro-
digally, to waste, to min
Hujusungo, adj,y deep; n.y
depth
Hn-h6u, tr, v., to prevent,
to anticipate, to restrain,
to withhold, to intercede
for peace; to take in, so
as to accommodate for the
night. Te hn-h9U, they
cannot contain. T6ko
hu-h6u, closed — that is,
hard illiberal hand
Hu-h6u-mo, pin. hu-h$u-
b^la, n., peace- maker
Hnlcpo, tr, v., to mix to-
gether, to noingle, as
people
Hula, tr, v., to agree together,
to arrange, to combine,
to nnite ; to form a plan,
to settle a dispute, to
determine what to do.
Hu lango, to be conve-
nient. Njla hula, adju-
dicate a matter
Hul§>la, ei, n,, dispnsation
Hul^mbi-hulembingo, stay-
ing long at a place
Hulengesia, seed, of&pring
Hull, tr, v., to hasten, to
accelerate, to abound ;
adj,y fast, strong, powerful
Hulingo, to be boisterous,
very powerful ; vehe-
mently
Hul$, tr, v., to look into, to
discern, to perceive; to
string tc^ether as beads ;
to raise seed
Huluwa, tr, V,, to scare, to
frighten, to cause to fear ;
cdso hulua
Hiima arid hiima we, tr, v,,
to steal. Ti ngi hiimani
kina mu ylni
Huma, n., theft Hilma-
wf le, to steal
Huma-mo and huma wf-mo,
one that steals, thief
Hiima-gaso, n., skilful in
thieving and escaping
unharmed
Hiima, tr, v., to compare,
to measure. Hiimango,
to be compared to
Hiimageli, n., way or
manner of measuring
Hiimbu, tr. v,, to be or to
commence early, toantici-
pate, to get up early to
work. Nya humbu lo a
wu lahi, I haye fore-
warned you. Nga hii-
mbu lo, I will forewarn
Humeni, tr, v., to hear well,
tounderstand,toattendto
Humgli, tr, v., to inquire
into, to investigate, to
question, to examine by
questioning
Hune, tr, v., to explain
plausibly, to defend plea-
santly
Hungungo = hungiihango
Hungko, explain away, and
lost. Njle hungkongo If
bi yeya
Hunya, tr, v., to chew food, to
masticate Hunyamungo
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MENDE-ENQUSH VOCABCJLARY,
35
HunyanI, tr. v., to waste, to
destroy; spoiled, injured ;
to treat deceitfully
Hunyani, n., spot
HunyQ, tr, v., to retaliate»to
recompense good or evil,
to revenge, to avenge.
Hunyo-mo, avenger
Hunyola, n., recompense
Hunyuma, tr. v., to chew, to
masticate, to mutter
Hiipu, tr, v., to mix, to com-
pound, to mingle. Hiipu-
ngo a hani nwQna,
Mingled with something
bitter. I nyoi ta mbei
hupua
Hiiti, tr. v., to stir, as cook-
ing food
Huvaya, tr. v., to scatter, to
spread, to put to flight
Huve, tr. v., to fill, to satisfy
by filling; satisfied, filled.
Nya gohli vengo a mehe
Huveli, tr. v.,* to hire, to
engage for something ; to
be in want of, to beseech,
to call upon
Huvese, tr, v., to search out,
to ascertain
Huvo, tr. v., to enlighten.
See Vo, to flame, to blaze,
to shine
Huvo, tr. v.y to escape, to
pass safely through. Hl-
gbe-moi a kpindi huvo lo
Huvombo, tr, v., to unfold,
to * stretch, spread out.
Kole huvombo
Huwa) to' mortify, to
subdue
Huwo, tr. v., to empty, to
discharged cargo. Sani
huwo
Huwolo, impudent, assum-
ing, uncongenial
Huwgyo, w., respect of
persons; v., e nunga
huwgyo, distinction
Huwoyo, to select from, to
take choice in
Huyakpe, adv., forthwith,
immediately
Huyande, tr. v., to frighten,
to disappoint; to dis-
hearten, to deceive by
promises
Huyande-mo, deceiver
Huyanja, tr. v., to separate,
to part between as friends
Huyela, tr. v., to sweep.
Ger. auskehren
Huyili, tr. v., to entangle
I, pers. pron., 3 per. sing->
he, she, it
I, pers. pron., 3 per. sing.,
neg., he, she, it not. Nasia
gbi I le. It is not every
one = not every one
I, appears sometimes for the
relative pronoun ; as, hi-
ndoi na iye be. The man
he = who was here ; and
in the same way the per-
sonal pronouns in both
numbers are used
I, prefix to cardinal nu-
merals form ordinals, as,
ihalage, plu. ihalagelsia,
the first; if^legf, plu.
if|lf geisia, the second :
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36
HENDB-ENGLISH TOCABULABT.
and in the definite state
as prefix to other words,
as, ikflemggf, the last
with n3i6i, the youngest
son. Inyamua ke ikpf-
kpSa, the bad and the
good. Ing$ vgi, the elder :
itOgbgi, the younger : and
ascorrelative, the one, the
other, as, nyaha ikp^ kf i
hinda gb^gbengo ta *mia,
ikp^kSi ]1 hfnda nyamu*
ngOjtheone = the former
was of good, the other =
the latter of a bad, cha-
racter. Asasuffix it forms
the definite state, as, kglo,
_ book ; kol5i, the book
J, adv., yes
Ija, an exclamation of joy.
Nya ke i waa Ija !
imbo, w., disobedience, re-
_ bellion. I Imbo wea
Ina, conj,, if
Indeu, exclamation — stop 1
wait!
lya, exclamation of fear
Inge ngau, adj,, little
I ta'mla, that is one. This
expression is much made
use of when cases are re-
lated
J = s, ja = sa
Ja, tr, v., to touch. Wii
JSniangf. To hit against,
to tread upon. la jftni
angie. Aja nyaha
Ja, n., protection, as, Nya lo
bi ja hil, I am under thy
protection, care. Gbi iy$
nya ja hil. All things are
under my care. Nya bijei
ja hii
Ja-hftni, n., offering, what
is brought. Ju-gbiama,
n., altar
Ja-hii, jwep., by, by means of
Jai, adv.y quickly. I d9a jai
J&lS = salf, def. st. salei,
plu. jalflsia, n., parable'
J&ma, jamei,= sama, n.,
chieftain, prince. Kpaya
j3,ma lo a ngie. Ja mango
J&ma, to become indepen-
dent of labour
Jamba, tr. v., to give a
present, to send one to
one absent
Jamb5, tr, v., to disgrace,
to dishonour, to put to
shame. £jamb5 nya va.
He is not ashamed of or
offended at me
Jamo, aiu light green;
pale, fading
Jakoli, w., a dark-coloured
bird said to line its nest
with stolen feathers
Jangbe, t?., necklace, string.
Mini jangbS
Jangbe, n., complaint
Jara, n,, a kind of fish.
J§ra majia-mo, seller of
purple
JasI, tr, V,, to treat with
contempt Jasingo, to
be contemptible; to set
at nought, to despise
J&wa, n., a tree
Jawe = sawf , n., command-
ment
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MENDE-ENOLISH VOCABULARY.
37
Jawxi boa, to accuse one
Jaya, n.* wattle, lath ; tr, v.,
to wattle, to lath
Jf = se, w., thanks. JS
gbiaia, n., thanksgiving *
Je, adv., upright I hf ia je
Jegbe, w., lattice-work of
small sticks
Jeja, intr, v, and w., to rage,
to roar ; raging, roaring
Jeji, 72. an animal resem-
bling the porcupine. See
Seye
Jejia, intr, v., traTelling
much ; reduplicated or
intensive form of jia
Jejia-vale, w., a common
mushroom
Jeke, n., a rattle formed of
small calabashes with
stones inside; also the
dance accompanied by
the rattle
Jf kende, n., a kind of red
crab
Jeko, the name of a tame
monkey
Jele, plu. jelelsia, n.,'palm,
sun, or honey-bird
Jeli, tr, v., to pray. Used by
the Mabommedans
Jeli, iniens. adv., deeply.
Kpolungojeli-jeli
J§li, tr, V,, to betray. Gba-
maile bi la-ylei bi jflia,
to judge. Ko *ta wu jeli,
That they may not judge
you = that ye be not
judged. To witness^ bear
witness
Jfli-hlnda, n., testimony
j|ma,$i, 97., court lyaangi
mahei jamei bu. He took
him to theking's court
Jembe, adj., to be large,
grown up ; to enlarge, to
grow; to do much. Gba-
maile i ndoma jembe wei
lo. Niimujembe,'an adult
person. Jf mbengo, to be
grown up.* NdOpoi ngi
jembfngo If
Jena, t?!, the name given to
the last-bom of twins
Jende, n., eaves, window
Jene, v., to change by par-
tial decay; used of fish or
meat of which sene is
prepared. Hfia jene
Jenje, w., india-rubber
vine, an idol
Jenjen, an onomato. for
the sound of bells and
metals in general
Jenjilo, n., a large, black,
long-armed spiaer
Jen, adv., finally, at last.
I pelei d5a jfn
Jf ngbe,V2 ., a kind of large fish
Jengbe, adv., askance, to-
ward one comer of the
eye. Ta ngi gbele a jengbe
Jengbe-hii-wel§,n., the way
to the north or to the
south
JengbekulS, n., humming-
bird
Jengiilu, n., Albino
Jenjen, w., a dance accom-
panied by the large drum
Ji, def. St. jl ; plu. jia, jisia ;
demons, pron,, this. It
always follows the noun.
Hltoppi ji, plu. liIl9P9i jlsia
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Ji, adv, and conj., when, at
the time. Ti ngi wani,
if, when. Ji hani gbi na
ta li. If there be anything
(the matter) do not go.
Since, kpjglei ji
Ji, adv,, a little while
Ji, intr, V,, to walk. Ko mu
ji ti-hii
Jia, intr, v., to walk, to
travel, to make a journey ;
to sail, to circulate. A
jia nd5loi ma, a jia ndoi
hii, a jia ndpei bu, He
walks on, in, under the
ground. Ti gbi ta jia a
denga, They all walk to-
gether. Jia fefe, to sail.
Ngi ySmei jia'ti gbi ma.
His eyes marched on all
of them = he looked, etc.
Jia, ei, w., journey, word,
thing
Jia, tr. v., to rub, to smear on
Jia = siya, tr, v., to borrow
Jiagi, n., gait
Jiago, n., foot, or walking
on foot
Jiagondo, n,, food for the
journey
Jiajia, V,, to walk or sail
about for pleasure
Jialo, n., a child able to
walk
Jia-mo, n., traveller, bor-
rower
Jiandlma, tr, v., to pur-
posely speak or act so as
to vex and annoy others
Jiandiiahii, tr, v., to slander
Jiandiiahu-mo,n.,slanderer,
tale-bearer
Jianyo, n., travelling com-
panion
Jia-wiilu, «., walking-stick
Jibe, conf., although. Jibe
ndulango, although it is
rotten. Jibe ngi gbate
ni ke nya gahii gbiango.
Jibe = ke, although, yet,
still
Jiben, n., a kind of speckled
frog used for food
Jijia, in tens, form of jia, to
walk about much
Jijiama, tr, v., to shake, be
shaken. Fele jijiama,
aZso jigi and jisi, to shake.
Nyabijisiama. Nginguli
loa a jisiama
Jile, comp, adv., white
Jimo, 77., a kind of small
yellow wasp
Jinjia ?
Jiso, intr, v,, to sneeze
Jiva, conj,, for this, because
Jlwe, def. st. jlwei, plu. jl we-
isia ; tfwc? jiwi,'def. st. jiwi,
plu. jlwlsia ; key : also
jigi, jii
Jiwo, n., mast
Jiwo-lowu, 71., socket for
the foot of the mast
Jo = so
Jo (and so, and jglo, and
solo), tr. v., to get, to
obtain, to acquire, to
receive. Joilo, to have
received. Ma ti go piibgla
lo yeya, jg nyaha, to
marry a wife. I nyaha
felea jg lo
Jo =*sQ, 71., horse or ass
Jggbf , tr, v,y to try, to find
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HEKDE-ENGLISH YOCABULABT.
39
out, to inyestigate, search
into, to mark
Jo-hani, n., goods, property,
possessions
Jojo, n., loose skin beneath
the throat. Jojolingo, to
be very cautious
Jokondi, n., tarantula
Jola', verb, n,, receiving, ac-
quiring
Jola, w., noise. Ngule JQle,
noise in singing
Jolf , tr. v., to make a noise
.Toll, w., javelin
Jombu, 72., a small animal
celebrated for its magic
medicinal power
Jomo, w., the craw or crop
of birds
Jomo, n.f one who receives
or gets something. Nyaha
jomoi, n., bridegroom
Jomoko, n., a kind of small
snail
Jon, inter* s, adv,, very. Kola
nyandf ngo ke j5n
Jonde, tr, v., to express con-
tempt by sucking through
the teeth, to sneer at, to
make grimaces, to kiss
Joado, tr, v., to dam, to
mend where torn or
ripped
Jondoi, tr. v., to imprecate,
to curse
Johga, n., a kind of long-
legged fowl
Jgnga, n., the after-growth,
as the second cutting of
rice
jQngo = SQngo, ^ep., in-
stead of; thing of equal
value, just return, recom-
pense. Nga i jongoi yS-
ma lo, equal to, neither
more nor less, equivalent.
A ngi go lo kali a nye
jongo ? Will he give him
a serpent inst^ of a
fish?
Jongob5ti, «., a very tall
person
Jonya, n., mildew; v., to
blacken by exposure to
the air, refuse to work
Josongo, equal to, neither
more nor less
Jowa, «., an eel-like fish,
supposed to control the
quantity of water in cer-
tain places, and hence is
worshipped
J5wl, v., to fear, to cause,
to avoid, to refrain, to
abstain
Jowo, plu. JQwoIsia, n., iron
chain
Jiijii = tgiitsu, adj,, strong,
powerful, heavy
Jiijii, adj., deep, depth, v.,
to refresh one's self. Ti
nya yafei jiijiia. They
have refreshed my spirit
Jiikii, n., school. Jiikii 1$-
poisia, n., schoolboy
Jukulu = sukulu, tr. v., to
squander, to spend fool-
ishly, to waste. I ngi
navoi jukulu na madama
hindahii. Angfyajukulu
lo JQ, He shall suffer loss
Jule, intr, v., to smart ; to
run noisily, as descending
water : n., the roaring of
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCAB0LAET.
the sea. Ngi njfi jule
woi menia
Julu or TbuIu, in Vai,d§aini,
w., string, cord, rope; a
string of beads worn by
women round the waist
in attestation of having
passed through the Sande
Jundu, tr. v., to pour water
in a large stream
Jusu - hanlsia, n,, deep
things
Jusuma, f i, n., deep place
Juw6i, w., sail. Ti juwoi
yemga, They let the sail
down
K
Ka and kala, n., circle,
agreement. A mu ka
wua
Ea, 71., waste matter, dirt^
peel of fruit, skin
Ka, adv, of intensity, very,
very much. Ngi 8§ gbia
ma ka, very long time. I
w5la Kaa or ka
Ka = kara, tr, v., to teach,
to learn. Ngi nje ka a
hela
Ka, tr. v., to play a trick.
I nd51i ji kani = gani, a
mue
Ka, def. si kai and gai and
gel, n., chaff, stubble
Kaba, proper name, food of
roasted cassada and
ground nuts
Kabalo, n., horse. A
Mampa word.
Kab&lo-ha^ def. st kabalo
hei, pin. kabalo-ha, h«i-
sia, n., mare
Kabande^ n., miracle, some-
thing wonderful, curious
Eabfbu = kawfbu, n.,
school, school - house,
place to learn
Kae, n,, rust of iron
Kafa, tr, v., to deal un-
justly, to cheat, to wrong,
unjust, to defraud, to
deceive; Kafango, to be
unjust, unfaithful. Kafa-
we, to practice, use deceit
Kafa-hlnda, n., deceitful-
ness, excess, cheating
Kafa-mo, n., cheater, de-
ceiver, defrauder
Kagba = kakpa, n., whisker
Kaha, n,, basket
Kahu, n., within the skin,
body
Kafaii-gbale, pained in the
body
Kahii gblango, to be jolly,
joyful, wild. Nyapogahti
gbiango
Kahu-ha, to tire, to weaken ;
tired,fatigued. Nyagahfi
h&ngo. Nya gahU a ha
lo
Kahii-ll. n., might
Kaikiilo,7i., ground squirrel
Kaiye = kaye, w., root
Kaja, rope made of the fibre
of the nduvu
Kak4, adv., quick, fast^
soon. Wa kakd, come
soon
Kaka, adv,, much, plenty,
a long time. I Ifmbia
kaka
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
41
Kaka, §i, n., side, part,
party. Ta lo nya gak^i
ma. He is on my side.
Wa ma gakei ma, Come
to our side, join our party.
£aka yela = partly ; ka-
ka yfla,' kakti, w^kei, the
one, the other party
Kaka, tr, and intr. v., to
turn from the way, to
wander ; to take a thing
belonging to another ; to
mistake, to lead astray
Kaka galeisia, side bones
= rib ; from kale = gale,
bone
Kaka-gbale, w., pain in the
side
Kake, def. si kakei, an em-
bankment of clay put to
houses for support
Kakibo, n., a bird that ex-
g^vates the bank as a
lodgment for its nest
Kakila, n., the bent stick
fastened in the ground in
a trap
Kakima, n., shoulder
Kakpa, tr, v., to surround,
to besiege. KghSla ti
kakpa tf i ma
Kakpa, n., beard upon the
sides of the face, side
whiskers
Kakii, n., the land, bank,
shore
Kala or ka, n., circle
Kala=kara, n,, large green
or black flies ; called also
fo
Kale, n., bone, seed or stone
of fruits^ ball N^ama
gale, gun-shot. Kpande-
gale, an article given in
acknowledging the claim
of another. Tf mu-gale
Kale, 71., fishing weir
Kale, ei, n., reed
Kale-higbe, n., rheumatism
Kale tfwfngo, beyond
measure
Kale-wojf, w., one much
emaciated
Kali, n., plu. kallsia, hoe
Kali, plu. kallnga and
kalini, serpent, snake
Kalikonjo, w., a kind of
fabulous spirit said to
reside in the forest
Kali-ngii, the handle of a
hoe
Kalo = karo, w., a broad
dish, basin] pan, bowl
Kal9, n., a species of mon-
key. Kalo kuanga ti
mahei mla,' The kalo is
the king of monkeys '
Kalondo, n., a flat multi-
pede
Kama, ei, n., place of
assembly, feast
Kama and kama-ama and
gama, n,, a rough leaf
used as sandpaper to
rub furniture
Kama, adj\, singular, un-
usual, unexpected
Kama, pr&p,^ to, unto
Kamage, in a strange way
Kama-ha, n., singular death
Kama-hani, n., strange,
wonderful thing event,
apparitiim
Kama-hinda^ n,, the doing
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42
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
of something clandes-
tinely, an attempt to de-
ceive by a sleight of hand,
sharp practice
Kama-hlnda, n., skilf alness,
skill ; adj., skilful
Eama>l&, n,, entrance to
the Fgro bash, and place
of meeting near it
Eama-mo^ n., skilful per-
son
Kamaso, n., hunter, ele-
phant hunter
Eamba = kampa, ei, n.,
grave, grove, tomb.
Kamba golingoa, whited
sepulchres ; long musket
Eamba, n., shirt
Eamba-bo-mo, w., grave-
digger *
EambI, n. and adj,, naked-
ness; naked
EambS, t?., bank of a river,
shore. Nje gamb5i
EUna, f i, plu. kaMnga, n.,
box, trunk, chest, cup-
board. Jeju i ya kanei hu
Eande, adj., curious,
strange, intricate. Ngi
wa'a kande-kande I0W9
kandengo, to be awkward,
puzzled, confused. Hindei
gandea nya y§ya. The
affair has become intri-
cate in my hands, or has
confused me
E&nde-hlnda, n., critical,
strange, curious matter
E&negb^mb5,n.,old, impure
palm oil
Eanga, adj., stubborn, re-
bellious, insubordinate
Eanga-mo, n., rebel
EanI, n., a cap ornamented
with porcupine quills and
used by a dancer
EanI, n., shining metal, as
silver or gold ; and EanI
gbou-gbou
Eanl-gb5li, n., gold. Ti Agi
boya a kani-gbOli
Eani-gogole, n., white
shining' inetal, silver or
gold
Eanjia, masc, «., a quarrel-
some person
Eanjo, n., conspiracy, agree-
ment
EanjSlo, adv., at once. A
winde mu mahu kanjolo
Eanjo-wua, tr, v., to agree
to seize, to conspire
against. Ti kanjo wuaa
ngi hou va
Eanu, V. and adj., crooked,
winding ; to wind, to
turn from a straight line
Eanya, n., bees-wax
Eanya, n., gonorrhoea
Eanya, n. and adj., emaci-
ated, poor, wasted away,
to become thin in flesh ;
n., leanness, meagreness,
thinness of the body
Eanyama, n., window
Eanye, n., ant-eater, pango-
lin
Eapaw9, «., window ^
Eapii, tr. v., to rob, to
plunder. Eapii we, to
commit plunder, to de-
vour
E&pu-h&ni or haka, n.,
plunder, booty
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABT.
48
Kapu-mo, n., robber
Kara, »., doctrine, teaching.
Eara-wf , to teach, to in-
struct; to determine
upon, to degree ; to read.
Nki kSrai lo, I have de-
termined, purposed. Ngi
ge karama, I was minded.
Kara-hlnda, n., thought
Karakai, n., zeal
Karakara, n., dihgence
Karinyene, plu. karinyenf-
nga, n., speckled serpent
= kali nyegingo
Earo, n., Gallinas country.
Karo-yia, Gallinas lan-
guage
Easei, n., the high banks
of a river
Easo, adj.y cunning, crafty,
expert, ingenious
Eas5-hlnda, n., cunningness,
subtilty, extortion
Eas9-mo, w., cunning per-
son. Easongo tunu, to
be too cunning
Easo-kpeni, n., a deceptive,
treacherous, sly person
Eata, 92., a kind of very
large cat-fish
Eata, ei, n., wave
Eata, ^i, n., fence, hedge;
enclosure, garden, yard,
premises
Eata-hiigbatemo, n., dres-
ser, gardener
Eate-hii, n,, yard or garden
enclosed
Eate, tr, v., to form into a
ball, cake, or loaf
Eate, n., ball. Fande-
gate, kpohii-gat§, loaf
EafI, adu. = k&, much, a
long time
Eavali and kSvai, tr. v., to
permit, to allow
Eave, tr. v., to eat, over-
filling the mouth
Eavl, tr. v., to clasp, td
encircle with the arms.
Ngiirui gftvi bi de
Eavu, n., climbing palm
larger than mbalu
Eavii-bQlo, n., the growing
point of the kawii used
for food
Eawf bu, n., house to learn
in = school
Eawo, tr. v., to peel, to pare.
Saroi ji gawo
EawQ,' n., refuse matter.
Ngi kaw6 wu ma, I put
manure to it
Eaye, n., fault, transgres-
sion. I giilao kaye hu,
prohibition. Eaye lo
ndogboi ji ma. Eaye
hou, to blame. Eaye
gbl ti ma
Eaye, tr. v., to clear from
fault, to justify, to con-
fess
Eayg and kaiyf , some sort
of iron ; also kae
Eaye-mo, n., one who con-
Ee = ge
Ee, adv., openly, clearly,
loudly. I ndf i lo ke
Ef-k$-ke, 72., a call for a
dog, come here
Ee, cory'., and, then, so that,
until, yet; correlative to
kina-ke = then^ when
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARYv
Ee, fi., father, master,
teacher, ruler. The
natural father is leke.
Nya lekei = nya ke nya
]eni; and plu. of ke is
keni = sirs
Ke, tr. V,, to show, to point
out, exhibit; reflex., to
show one's self, to appear
to one, to reveal, to
read. Wii kei If wo?
Have ye not read long
ago? Kengo = gengo, to
be shown, revealed, made
manifest
Kea = kina, conj., if, when
£ehe, conj\, whether, even
if, although. Kebe bi
ndenya-lo lo. Though it
be your own sister. Kfbe
ye lo. Whosoever thou art
Kebfeli, adj\, dirty. Hani
*ma ye kebif li
Kebi, ac^y.,' closely, passion-
ately. I ngi giirua kf bi
Kebi, n., blacksmith. Kebi-
hlnda, n., blacksmith's
work
Kee, conj\, but
Kf ge, tr,, to bum in roast-
ing
Kege, n. and adv., earnest-
ness, intention, design,
purpose; purposely, in-
tentionally. I kQnga a
kege, ke I latima, He
knew it with certainty,
but did not mind it =
connived at it. I weui a
kege. He did not do it
purposely
Kege, adj., yarioas, different
kinds. I higbe gegelsia
ba5a
Kege^le, w., intentional lie
Kfgfli, n., a disease called
yaws
Kegeli-gbo, n., scars from
yaws upon the bottom of
the foot
Kege-mali, w., intentional
denial. Kege mali i
pea
Kehfma, plu. k^hfma and
kfbfmanga, kehfmfisia,
w., scorpion
Ke ji, conf., when, therefore
Keke, adv., together ; used
with reference to united
effort. A mu hani ji
wiimbu keke, n., end
Kekelf , a piece, part, frag-
ment, portion, division.
Kolu gregre, n., piece of
iron
Kfkema = kfhema, plu.
kekema and k|kemanga,
k| k|melsia, n., scorpion
Kela, verb, n., showing ; def.
St. kelei
Kele, n.,'a pron]ise with an
obligation. Ngi yamani
a Beujemi ke bi nya
Ifngfsia'wa
£ele, n. and adj., a measure
of small capacity; little,
small
Kele, tr. v., to end, to stop,
to conclude ; n., ikelemf i,
the end
Kelei, is it so ? is it not so ?
indeed
Kfle, n., a kind of palm
(die leaf is used for
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MENDB-ENQLISH VOCABULABT.
45
tbatcb), a drum made by
hollowing a large stick
Kf le-yelimo, «., drummer
Kel|-kpa9, n., drum-stick
Eelema^ n,, end; ikelemei,
the end, termination, the
last; and kemei mla?
is that the end ? = is that
all?
Eelema-lo,»., the last child
to which one gives birth
Keli, w., a kind of monkey
marked by a white nose,
excelling all others in
leaping
Eelii, adj.y faint; n., kelui
hu, in a trance
Ef ma, n., a magician who
discloses secrets and fore-
tells future eyents
Ee-makpo, n,, brother or
sister of the same father,
but by different mothers
Eema, ei, w., end
E|mba, n,, a plant the fruit
of which is used as a
vegetable
Ef mbele, w., to constipate(?)
Eembd,'n., a brazen salt-
pan'
Eeme, num, adj\, thousand
Eeml, w., a bivalve
Eemisa,n.,shirtwith plaited
bosom
Ee-mo, plu. kebSla, father,
parent
Eena = kina, adv,, when, as
Eeodawi, n., cat, puss
Eindawu, n., an elevated
watch - house near the
gate; also called mbete-
janga
Eende, tr. v,, to drag, to
draw, as a net; to lead
with compulsion, as cap-
tives
Eendf , n,, wax
Eendemo, n., a captive
taken while fighting or
fleeing
Eende va, for a draught.
Ti kendeni, they caught
Eendu, n,, a tree bearing a
hard-shelled fruit Uke
the cocoa-nut
Eendu, n., a kind of black
bee without a sting
Eene, n., master, mistress
E|hgele, adv,, nearly con-
cea'leii. I lani k^ngflf
Eengel^ma-yelf, ir, v., to
hate and slander while
appearing as a friend
E§nga, shown. EpohH
gengoi, n., the shew-
bread
Eengua, w., trousers
Eenji, n., seed of a kind of
palm called bamboo
Eenji-g6ro, n., a snake re-
sembling kenji in colour
Eeni, I do not know
Eenya, w., mother's brother,
uncle upon the mother's
side
Eenye, ei, »., country,
kingdom, land, nation,
language
Eenye -wfka-hii- mo, plu.
bdia, other nation = Gen-
tiles
Eenye-hii-mo, one that
speaks the language of
another country
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46
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Kenye-yla, n., the language
of the country
Kenya, tr. v, and adj., to
notch, to mortise; few,
small
Kenye, «., sand used by
magicians called kenye-
mo
Kera, plu. kerani, n,, salt
Kere, ctdj\, round, circular ;
a small portion ; security
Eese-kese, adv., daintily,
roincingly. A jla kese-
kese
Kesl-blgbe,n., a disease that
destroys the sensibility
of the nerves
Kesi loma, n., a garment
said to be of spider's web
Ketali, w., a narrow, T-
shaped breech-cloth
Kete, n., a species of broom-
corn
Kete, n., guinea-fowl
Eewe, n., the leaf from a
palm of which hats are
made
Kewele, adj., various, dif-
ferent kinds. Ti hani
gewele gblaa a sa
Kew6, tr. v., to warm, used
of living beings. Agewo
a ngombu
KewiilO, n., musk cat
K|ya, w., well. A jla keya
Keyakpe, ado., at once,
forthwith, immediately.
Kya keyakpf , I only, I
alone
Klale = kinale, con;., while,
while as yet, since, be-
cause thai Eina gba
ngi wani, Since the titiie
I came in. Eiua wq gba,
since of old = never be-
before; if, when, before
time. Eia kinei, even as,
as long as. Ela, accord-
ing to. Ela = kina hi
layiei na, according to
thy Word. Eina se i na,
even as it is. Ela or
kina-ke, correlatives when
. . . then. Eina ngi T^ani
pelei bu ke ta be i waa
Eibeli, adv., completely,
plentifully
Elgl, tr. v., wrestle, to throw ;
verb, n., wrestling. Ti
kigl goa
Eig5, adv.y impulsively, per-
sistently. Bi hinda doi
lo a ngie kigo
Eije, tr. v., to rub upon
heavily, to scour by rub-
bing, to crowd against in
passing. Ba klje nya ma
Eye, w., ginger
Eikili, tr. v., to roll. I
kotui gbia kambei la i
kikili. He removed the
stone from the mouth of
the grave, he rolled it
away. Eikili wele, adv.,
round, round about
Eila-gbate, n., power or
wealth obtained by war
Eila hInda, n,, violence, war
Eila-hlni,n., an old warrior
Eilf , adv., tightly, snugly.
Ti ngflia kilf
Kill = gill, tr. v., to think,
to remember; to recall
with sorrow; consider.
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MENDB-ENQLISH VOCABULARY.
47
to reflect, to imagine.
Kill nyamua, evil imagi-
nations; w., thought, re-
flection, remembrance.
Kill ji i waa nya nemahU,
That thought came into
my mind. Kili-kil§, adv,,
applied to the trunk of
the elephant, as, himai
]o ngi ma kuhango ke
kili-kili
Kili-mo, one who remem-
bers, considers, reflects
Kiraba, n., ant-eater
Kimbo, n., a large cricket
Kimb5, tr. v., to belch, to
eructate
Kimi, 71., the Kittim country
Kina, conj. See Kla
Klna, i.q. kena, n., man,
husband
Kinda, tr, v., to start from
concealment with outcry,
as an animal; n,, the
grunting cry of fear
Kinen, adu,, even so, like-
wise, as soon as. As a
n., manner, way; conj\,
so, in that manner. Kina
klnen,just so, just as, thus
also, so likewise, exactly as
Kinjoro, n., a certain tree
Klpo, n., a succulent plant
that is used as a vege-
table
Kiripe-lia, adv. , throughout
Kiwulo, n., ground-pig
Ko = go, n., belly, inside,
stomach. Nya goi feingo,
I am with chilc[. I ani
g^hu. I ko wumbua. She
has conceived, is preg*
nant. Ko nika, w., cow
in young. So like k6
hiti hii, wu g9 a ve lo
Kq and kowo = gg and
gowo, plu. kga, kolsia, n.,
foot, leg, track
KQ-hina, def. st. kfi; ko
hinei, plu. ko hluesia; n.,
toe,* male toe. Kg jia, n.,
footstep
Ko, ctwy'., lest, so that, in
order that (East, interior).
Kg i ngi ggle, to tempt
him
Kg, v., to become ensnared,
entrapped. Nyei i gga a
bomf
Kg,*^r. v., to taste, to try,
to know, to endeavour.
Kina i kgni. When he
knew; and Tl ngi ggni.
They knew him not. Ngi
ye kgi lo kpei ma i ye
w^i lo, I knew it at tbe
time it happened. Te
ha gg. Kina i kgni i lii-
mani i kpole
Kq, v., to go high, to be
rough, to rage
Ko, tr, v., to fight, to war;
to play games of skill.
Ta koi go a hfle. A koi
go lo kiigbima. * Ta hel§
go
Ko, n., war-giving. Ko
yi lima, war cooking-
place, encampment
Ko-hani and ko-hlnda, n.,
affairs of war. Wa ko-
hloda meni lo ; ke koma
dgwoisia. Nyapgi ji iye
gai lo a ko-hlndf i gbi. Ko
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48
MENBE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
baka, def. st. hakesia, n.,
goods; armed with war-
canoe. Eo lende
Koa, n., dance
K6, plu. kolsia, n., gate
K^ba, r?., a tree having
broad, thick leaves
Kobanga, n., a place cleared
for talking war matters,
and for giving the last
instructions to an attack-
ing party
Ko-biye, w., a name express-
ing bravery assumed by
a warrior ; a name given
to an attacking force, as a
watchword or countersign
Kobo, n., a kind of large
coarse mat
Kobo, n., sticks used to
thicken the bottom
palings in a barricade
KQbg-le, w., a kind of fowl
with very short legs
Koboi, w., dance to the
music of sangba
Ko-b9wa, plu. ko-bowelsia,
«., war-knife, sword; plu.
ko-bowani
Kgde, tr, v., to tempt, to
deceive, to persuade to
do wrong, mislead
Kode-hinda, n., temptation,
deception, imposition
Kodemo, n., deceiver
K6fe, n., trousers. Bi I6i
lo ngi kofe ho bi§? Ba
gii lo a nya g5f§i hola
Kogba5-loli, n.,' a play of
turning somersault
Ko-g6hune we, n,, war joy,
triumph
Kogonde, n., butterfly ; also
konde, moth
Kogonge, plu. kogonjesia,
literally, the mother of
ants, the name given to a
snake (which is said to
have two heads) because
it is always found in ant-
hills
Koguba or Kogugba, plu.
kogugbonga, n,, officer
Ko-hiti-hii, n,, advanced
state of pregnancy. Ta
ko-hiti-hii
Ko-h6u, plu. kohoa, koh5u-
bglesia, n,, captive
Kohoui, n., captivity
Kohii, tr, v., to conceive, to
be with child. Nyahalo
kShii, I g5nga
Kohii-gbale, n., abdominal
pain
K6hii-gbia, »., diarrhoea,
dysentry ; also kohu
lewe
Kohii-gbini, n., griping
pain in the bowels
Kohii-gboyo, r?., past the
time of child-bearing
K5hu-hou, «., costiveness,
costive
Kohiine, n., joy, gladness,
rejoicing
Kohtlne-ma hinda, n., glad
tidings, success, pros-
perity
Eoima, n., a person or
animal with young beside
them ; lying-in woman
K5ja, n., seed like that of
a cucumber
Kgjoy n., a kind of egg-
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IfENDE-EXGLlSH VOCABITLAET.
49
plant, the seeds of which
are used for food
Koka, n,, a large male fowl
Koka, n., sandal, shoe, boot
Eoko, n., an edible tuber ; a
Vine and its fruit, the
shell of which is used for
drinking-cups
Eoko, n., a kind of ant;
also their cone-shaped
dwellings, being an object
of worship among the
people
Koko, tr. v., to find
Koko, tr, v., to knock with
the knuckles, to search
for a lost article. Ti
ndendei gokoa kee ti
gbahaa ma
Kokoe, n., partridge
Kokole, n., the crowing of
cock
KQkoli, tr, v., to seek for, to
search after
KokolS, w., the outer bark ;
a fence, an enclosure to
entrap animals
Koko-naowo, n., a turtle-
shell, beat in the Poro to
call attention
Kokowp, tr. V,, to threaten ;
n., threat
Kokoye, n., btish fowl
Kgla, tr. v., to utter, to
speak. Used with nde, as
i nde golaa. Eglani, plu.
clothes
Eolagba-lo, n., a young
man, soldier
Eglama, tr. v., to surprise,
to meet unexpectedly.
Bi gQlaa nya ma
E5le and konde, n., snail,
and all mollusks haying
resemblance, as nga gole
Kole, w., fife, flute
Edlf, tr. v., to clean, to
scx)ur, to whiten. Mbe
gole, g5lengo, to be
E51e/ adj.\ white, clean,
"pure, jusi Ngi gohfl
golengo
Eole,' tr. v., to spirt, to
blow from the mouth
Egle, tr. v., to divide, to
share, to separate, to
distribute. Eolengo nd€a,
to divide in the middle
Eole, adj.f cool, cold ; v. to
shiver, shudder, to cool.
Eolema, ei, n., shade,
cool place.' Ngende ji
nga golengo
Kole viira* n., fever
Eole, «., barrel, cask
Eolenda and konda, tr. v.,
to count, to number
Eole-nye, n., a fish called
gfooper
Eoli, plu. kQlfnga, n.,
leopard. Eoli nini, leo-
pard's milk
EqU, v., to be greedyj stingy,
niggardly
Eoli, ir. v., to search for; to
pluck as fruit ; to pay for,
as a wife. Ta ngingahg
gglima. Ngi ngulu
w^sia golingo. Njlaggli,
to seek a quarrel
Egll-blnda, n., cannibalism
under the guise of a leo-
pard
Egline, n., plane
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50
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Kolo, w., skin of living
beings, hide, the bark
of a tree, leather, paper,
book
Kolo-gglongoIsia,the parch-
ments. Kolo nyegingoi,
the Scriptures
Kolo, n., cask, barrel,
puncheon, keg ; fireplace.
Nje wu koloi ya
Kolo, n., tower
Kolo, oi, n., snail
Kolo or ko, tr, v., to feel
KoJo-gbela-nyo, n., Indian
corn
Kolo-go-mo, one who knows
the book, a learned man
Kolo-ho-mo, one who sews
leather, shoemaker, book-
binder
Kolo-kolo-njaka, n,, red-
headed lizard
Kolo-nye, w., an eel-shaped
fish with jointed shell
Kolo-wa-mo, n., tanner
K6l5-yeya, n., bridle =
lekther rope. Ti kolo ye-
yei wua soi ma
Kolii, n., iron
Kolu-gbia, tr. v., to return
to the husband the money
he gave for his wife
Kolu gowei, plu. goweisia,
n., iron pot
KqIu likpa, w., arrow
KQlu-ngii-ma, n., ferule
Koma, «., cheek
Koma, tr, v., to refuse, to
deny. I nya gomaa
Koma-ama, «., a leaf
resembling sand-paper,
used in rubbing furniture
Koma, ei, n., place of
gathering, assembly, feast,
encampment. Komehou,
to keep a, feast
Koma, w., greediness
Koma-gbia, stooping, bent
Ko-mahii, n., the chief of a
country who sends the
war-party
Ko-mahii, w., instep
Kombo, tr, v., to scrape, to
scratch, to weed out
grass, to bruise. Ba nya
gombo
K5mbo, tr, v., to increase,
to enlarge, to multiply, as
of grain. Mbekombongo
Kombo, w.,a steep bank by
the water, the brow of a
hill
Kombu, n., the lower part
of the belly
Kome, tr. v., to surround,
to meet together, to
assemble
Kome, 7i., meeting, assem-
bly, convocation. Ta
Ngewo gome hou
Komi, n., nasal mucus, snot
Komi-gule, a leaf used to
loosen nasal mucus
Komi, plu. kominga, w., bee,
honey *
Komi, tr, v., to lick, to wipe
up with the finger
Komi, n,, axe
Komi-ta, n., honeycomb
Komi-wiilo, n,, honey ; and
komi yei= bee- water
Ko-mo, def. st. ko-moi, plu.
konga a7id ko-bSla,
warrior soldier
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
51
Kona, tr. v., to come to, as
a stranger; to give a
present, and state the
object of one's coining
Konda, w., mortar, mill
Konde, kole, w., snail.
Grbowo gonde, large snail ;
fafa gonde, intermediate
snail ; konde-gonde, small
snail about one inch in
length
Konde, n., a kind of small
plantain
Kondi, intr, v., to snore.
Kondi-mo, inclined to
snore
Kondi, w., a tree called
sugar-plum
Kgndo, «., a small animal
that in biting retains its
hold
Kondo, tr, v., to hold tight-
ly, to clench. Kondo
ngtirui ma
Kondo, w., a wide sword
with bent point
Kondo, w., the cooked food
sent to labourers in the
middle of the day
Kondo, plu. kondonga, w.,
locust, grasshopper,
jumping fish ; increased
Kondu, w., a tree with
attractive but worthless
fruit. Kondei nyande a
bie
Kone, v., please, do, I en-
treat. Kone be ngi hinde
ji we
Konga, plu. form^ young
men. Ndakpa 15, sing.,
kohga ti nyahei, plu.;
konga, plu. kongeisia ti
nyakanga, the young
man's wife, the wives
of the young men
Konga, w., the back of the
head, back of a knife,
blade
Konga, plu. form, men
Kongo, plu. kongoisia, w.,
enemy
Kongo! 5, w., wheel, k6-
ngoio^gana, w., waggon,
cart
Koni, w., the poison of
snake, tarantula
Koni-lipka, n., poisoned
arrows
Konjo, konjo-liiwo, w., the
king's portion of the
captives
Kono, 7i,y name of a country
and people
Konu, r>., axe; a palm
called bamboo ; a fishing
weir made of the above
leaf
Konu-ngii, w., axe-handle;
centipede ; the constella-
tion Orioit
Konu-go, 71., leaf-stalk of
konu
Konu mene, an axe with-
out handle
Konye, tr. v., to reduce, to
lessen, as words. A mu
magonye ma la gb^
ma
Kgnye, adj. and adv., re-
duced, brought near
completion; idly, un-
interestedly
Konyg, w., enemy
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62
MENDE-ENGUSH VOCABULART.
Kosf-loli, w., magical play
Kosi, w., trousers reaching
to the knee
Kotja, n., tuhani mia kalei,
a seed of some kind of
plant
Koto, plu.'! kotolsia, «.,
locust (?)
Koto, adj.^ bent, crooked.
Ngi la-b5wei kotongo le
Koto, tr. V.', to bend , to fold,
to roll up. Kotokoto, in-
tens, form, to coil round
and round
Koto, w., retribution from
God or from the spirits
of deceased relatives,upon
one who did not mourn
for them ; vengeance, re-
venge. Nya gotoi i goa
angiS
Kotobo, w., food of cassada,
palm cabbage
Koto-gbol6, n., war-dance,
and exercise with their
weapons, with their song.
ha bft— ha wa9
Kot5pon, n., reed; a stick
bent
Koto-yla, n., accusation
against a relative who
has failed to mourn at
the death of one of their
kindred; imprecation and
the consequent evil. Koto
lo ti woma
Kotu, n., stone, rock; a
stick partly burnt, fire-
brand. Kotu-wele, a
house built of stone.
Kot6 gbolela, brandiah-
ing a sword
Kovago, n., shot made of
broken pots
Ko-ve and Kolu-ve, w., iron
cooking pot. Koveisia
Kov§, tr, v., to fill, to satiate
with food, filled
K9V0. I toni ngi ganyango
kovo
Kov6, (w^*., emaciated. Hi-
gbe-moi ngi kpv^kovo-
ngo
KQwa, n., shoe, foot, step.
Kowa felea
Kowe, w., large bird of the
eagle kind
Kowe and koe, n., log, fal-
len tree
Ko-wei, conj,, in order that,
that
Kg wo, adj., left. Kowo loko,
left hand or arm
Kowo, adj., w., and v., fly-
ing ; to fly, to. sail through
the air. NwQnlsia ta
gowo ngeleya
Kowo, n., driver ant
Kqwo, and koo, tr, v., to
warm by fire or in the
sun, used of living beings.
A gQ5 a ngombui
Kowo, *w., foot, leg, track.
Nu gowoi
Kowo and kowe, w., large
bird of the hawk kind
Kgwoi, conj,, lest, that
not
Kowo-la, n., ankle
Kowo nemahii, n., lowliness
of ioaind
Kowo-yio, n., toe
Kowu, w.*, 1^0 jd. Bi gQwui
gbi lufe
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MSNDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
53
Kown-dewe-mo, n., wood-
cutter"
Kowu-yalema, n., the place
where wood is cut or
split
Kowu-yale-mo, n^ wood-
cutter
Koyafa, n., a stone carried
as a pledge of the sup-
posed aid of a spirit
Koyambo, n., a very heavy
tornado, flood, freshet
Koyio and kowo-yi5, n., toe
Koyo, to teach, learn
Ku = gu
Ku, n., day. Ku tenga ma,
some time, space of time
Kii, tr, v., to surpass, to get
the mastery; able. Agu
tima
Ku, adv,y about
Ku, n., scent, smell ; tr. v.,
to scent, to smell. Ku
neingo. Ku nenei
Ku, n., company, group,
herd. Kuanga ta jia kii
ma
Ku = gu, kungo = gungo,
can, be able
Kiia, n., night. Kiia-lia,
midnight
Kua, §i, »., dance
Kua, kuai = gua, plu. ku§a
= kua, kuanga, kualsia,
monkey ; and also kuala,
def. st kualei
Kuaji, w., coral
Kuanja, n., a large hawk
that preys upon fish
Kuara, n., monkey
Kueni, adj., fragrant, sweet-
ly, odorous
Kiigba, §1, plu. kugbanga,
n., officer. Ko-gugbanga,
ko-gugbf isia, war-officer,
chief
Kiigbe, n., a small crocodile
Kugbf -gbia, to call together
for labour
Kiigben, adv., expresses the
sound of a blow with the
fist or a stick
Kugbehga, kugbengeisia, n.,
bush-goats
Ku gbi-ma, adv., always, at
any time, whenever
Kiigu, n., the cluster of
houses owned by a family
or by related families,
home, premises. Mu ye
kuguhii. Ye-kiigu, house
or home
Kugiini, n., mucous mem-
brane of the nasal pas-
Kuha, adj., long, far, distant,
tall, high; n., height,
length. I kiihama, not
far. Ti li maguhango
nyama. Tr. t;., to lengthen,
to extend
Kiikii, tr. v., to trail, to
drag, as a beast his prey
Kuku-hua, n., snake or
other animal of like mo-
tion
Kula, tr. and intr. v., to fall
down, to drop, to throw
down. Hue i giilfta, to
put down, to knock down,
to overthrow, to fall
upon. Fefe wa i gula
gb5y§ya, to throw out,
to utter. Ndf mia iyf
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54
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
kulani. Ngi sali lo gu-
lani?
Kula or kulla, n., large cloth
of native manufacture
Kula-ho-mo, one who sews
cloth = tailor
Kula-giitu, n., short cloth,
napkin
Kula-ggle-mo, fuller
Kiila- Willi, w., cloth- tree =
flag-staff
Kiile, n., deht
Kul|, n., ceremony made to
a man at the death of his
wife or the first death
among his wives
Kiile, w., a circular fish-trap
of palings ; an inclosure '
for bathing, cage, hen-
coop
Kulo, adj,y small, little.
Nesi kiiliingo. Kulo-mo
a ngie. Ndo kulo, ikulo
wiiloi, kiiloisia, the last.
, Kiil6 be, not in the least.
Kiilongo, to be small,
little
KCilu, w., flock, as of birds,
fish; crowd; clump or
thicket. Nwgni giilui i
lewea sangi
Kiiiu,Vr. v., to agree to, to
consent, to acknowledge.
Mu kulua
Kuma, ei, in company
Kumba,*n., shirt, frock, coat
Kiimbo, tr, v., to scratch
l\\iH9,,' adv., again, by-and-
by. Ku na = that day,
then. Ngi ha lo kuna.
Navgi na, a wema kiina a
nya uda
Kuna, in the future. It is
used with verbs of future
signification
Kuna-f6, adv., for ever.
Kuna fo levui, life ever-
lasting, continually
Kiina-gba, henceforth
Kunda, ei, w., scales of the
crocodile, or the snail's
house
Kunde, tr. v., to clear away,
to haul together, to re-
move
Kundo, n.y inside corner of
a house, room
Kiindu, tr. v., to skim ; to
take out of the water
with the hand, the fingers
being a little separated.
Mbe ngiindu nye hii, to
draw through the water
Kungo, to be enough
Kunjahii, adv., daringly,
hazardous. A winde
kunjahii
Kuru = guru, tr, v., to re-
ceive. Kiirungo le, lit.
it isadmitted,itisenough.
Kiirunga, as, ngi kuru-
nga, I agree, consent ; it
is acceptable; to accept,
to grant, to encircle, to
embrace, to hug
Kurula, verb, n., receiving,
agreeing
Kiirupe, all, every one.
Nunga kurupea, ail peo-
ple
Kiitu, adj., short, small,
part or portion of a thing
Kiitu, w., stone
Kuwl, n.^ section, division.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCjLBULARY.
55
part of a whole, used in
apportioning work upon
land
Kwa = kua = kwua, w.,
monkey
Kwogboma, w., bird with a
long tail
Kp = gb, kpa = gba
Kpa kpae, w., spear, adze,
crawfish; lath for sup-
porting thatch : aZso kpala,
spear. Ti ngi boi lo a
kpae, ke i haa
Kpa, w., a fetish, and the
sacred place where car-
cases of ferocious animals
are brought for the wor-
ship of their spirits
Kpa, tr, v., to count, to
number, to reckon; n.,
number. Ti ngi gbai lo.
They counted him. Kpala,
verb, n., counting
Kpa, w., debt, adze ; adj., in-
debted, credit. ;Se«Mende
Gram., §66.) Ba kpa-yia
le ngi ma. Do not speak
to him about debt = do
not ask him again
Kpa lo, there is a difference,
distinction
Kpa and kpale and kpala,
n,, farm, field; def. st.
kpaei, plu. kapaesia, con-
traction of kpalei. Kpa
mahugbe-mo, overseer of
the farm
Kpa, intens. adv., fast, firm,
loud. Ta mia a hou kpa.
He it is, hold him fast.
Kpa wo, loud voice or
1 noise
Kpa, v., to be separated,
different
Kpa, w., broom made of
palm leaves
Kpafa, w., a kind of fetish
Kpagba, tr, v., to shake
Kpagba, an instrument
used by weavers
Kpaha, as ngi kpaha gbi
go nya hu, I know
nothing by or against
myself
Kpaha, w., raft, float
Kpaha, n, and adj., in-
ability, unable; to be
unable
Kpahama, plu. gbahamesia,
w., fragments
Kpai, def. st. of kpa, garden
Nguru doni kpai lia
Kpain, adv., hardly, severe-
ly, tightly. A ngi ygngo-
lu ganyi kpain
Kpaina, n., a very large
black ant
Kpaiya, w., handkerchief,
napkin, towel
Kpaji, tr. v., to clap hands,
to slap with the palm of
the hand
Kpaka, w., head as of rice,
ear of corn. Ngo gbaka
yela ve mbe
Kpaka, w., throne
Kpakali, plu. Kpakalla, w.,
chair, stool, seat of three
legs
Kpaki-gale, w., bone of the
arm
Kpaki, w., wing, upper arm,.
shoulder
Kpaki-ma-venje, w., tassel,
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56
mendb-engush: vocabulary.
arm ornament worn by
Wuja
Kpakola, n., a clotli twisted
round the loins
Kpaku, w., hoop, handle;
kolo-gbaku. Mbe mbe-
gbaku
Kpakolo, w., a child large
and strong for one so
young in years
Kpakpa, 71., name of a fetish
used for the protection of
towns
Kpakpa, tr. v., to nail, to
pound ; to raise up, fast-
ening with nails; to
make, to fasten in stocks ;
to kneel
Epakpa, n., a tree
Kpakpa-:wuru, n., ladder^
steps, stairs
Kpakpa, n., trembling. A
gbell kpakpa
Kpakpani, n., dragon-fly;
a play in which two lock
arms and rock each upon
the other's back
Kpakpau = kpagbau -
kpakpawu, to be strong,
hard, difficuli I kpa-
gbauni a gala ; kpakpau-
ngo, to be overpowered.
"Wu ll kpakpaulesia va,
For the sake of the
hardness of your hearts.
Kpakpaongo ipekei ma
Kp&la, n.\ thigh, * stilts.
Kpala loli, to play upon
stilts
Kpala, kpa, n. and adj\,
field, farm, in its natural
state. MlMbgbala
Kpala, to lament, to bewail,
to deplore. Ta gbala
ngi va
Kpale, n., pain, grief,
grudge. Kpale hu, to
be in pain, to be grieved.
I gbale ti ma gbon, It
grieved them very much
Kpalengo ti ma, trouble
upon them : tr, v., to
injure, to hurt some one,
kpai = gbai. Nya wui i
gbai ma, My head aches
Kpale-gbia, tr, v., to tell a
grievance
Kpalema, n. and adj\, sore,
place of pain ; grieving
Kpalema-hlnda, that which
pains the mind, matter
of grief, grievance
Kpama, w., braces
Kpama, n,, sore
Kpamande, w., bell
KpambI, n., rule,line, mark,
course ; red handker-
chief
Kpambu, «., armhole,
armpit
Kpana, pron,, name
Kpanda, n., half a fathom,
yard
Kpande, tr, and intr, v.,
to roar, to scold, to re-
buke
Kpande, n., gun, rifle,
report of a gun; v., to
thunder, to scold voci-
ferously
Kpande-gale, »., bullet,
shot, projectile
Kpande-gotu, n,, gun-flint
Kpande-vanja, n,, a cap of
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IfENDE-ENaLISH VOCABULARY.
57
skin placed over the lock
to protect it from damp-
Kpandeve, n., swallow or
sparrow
Kpande-wllemo, w., marks-
man, shooter, hunter
Epandi, tr. v., to warm, to
heat, to hurry, to hasten ;
orf/, hot, quick-tem-
pered, impetuous, daring.
Kpandingo, to be hot, to
become very earnest
Epandin, adv., suddenly,
hotly, quickly
Epangba, n., a small broom
made from the midribs
of the tokpo'la
Kpanga, w., field burnt
before clearing
Epango, to be high in
price, dear; to be firm
Epangiila, n., rice beaten
from the husk without
any intermediate process^
called rough rice
Epangiima, n., Sande bush
Epanje, n,, ornament worn
upon the shoulders of a
war official
Epanji and kpaji, to clap
hands
Epanya, adj., coarse, Eole
kpanyango
Epan, adv,, steadfastly^
safely
Epao, adv,, quickly, as soon
as. Eina i wani ke i
gonaa kpal
Eapao, n., outcry, scream
Epaoya, n., state or condi-
ti<m of singleness
Epa-pele, n., any private
way
Epasa, adj\ and n., un-
protected, not fortified.
Ta kposa, barricade,
palisade, frame. Pele
gbasa
Epate, tr. v,, to make, to
construct, to create, to
repair, to put in order,
to enrich, to invent
Epate, adj,, rich, wealthy,
repaired ; riches, wealth
Epate-hani, n., creature
Epate-mo, n., rich man
Kpatengol, adj., prepared
Epato, n., cutlass, bill-
hook, sword
Epato, w., molar tooth;
name given in infancy
Epau, intr. v., to cry
Epava, 17., a small bag
carried upon the person.
Epava mu jiei va, scrip
for the journey
Epavl, w., flea, dog-louse,
Epavo, tr. v., to catch with
the Iiand, as a ball thrown ;
to raise up, to toss, as
waves ; tossed ; to sadden
one's heart
Epawa, w., fool
Epawa, n., pay, payment.
Navoi ji kpawa nya-we.
Pay this bill /or me— nya
ye, to me
Epawe, plu. kpawelsia, n,,
cat *
Epa-wlll-mo, n., creditor
Epawo, n., a person in
siugle life, widow, bache-
j lor, spinster
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68
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY*
Kpawoya, perhaps widow-
hood. Kpawo nyghahga,
widows
Kpawn, n., bridge, bail,
handle; used with the
name of the thing. Fagi
gbawu
Kpawulu, w., a fragrant
gum which, when dis-
solved, is used as a per-
fume
Kpaya, adj., strong, hard,
difficult. A kpaya, by,
with force
Kpaya-mo, w., strong per-
son
Kpaya-hinda, w., strength
Kpaya, w., handkerchief
Kpayahgo, to be strong,
powerful
Kpaya-wiilo, w., a noose
trap with spring pole for
deer
Kpayia, n., a demand for
payment
Kpaye, n., power, might,
strength
Kpe = gbe
Kpe = gbe, n., adj., and
v\, business, work, busy.
Nya gbehgo, i.e. I am
engaged,' pressed with
work. Kpe lo nya ma,
I am busy
Kpe, tr. v., to stop, to leave
off, to cause to cease.
Kpe, suffix, only. I fele kpf ,
two only, alone; self.
Nya kpe
Kpe, odlv.'still, so. Hei kpe,
sit still. Do kpe, stand
stiU
Kpe, kpe we, tr. v., to snatch,
to drive away, to pursue,
to hunt, to run after ; to
justify one's self. I kaye
gbe ngi vuli ma, to dis-
charge, to send away ; to
fish. Ti ya nye gbema,
they go fishing. Ti ya
kpema, hunting. Kpe
we, to give chase. Ke i
ngi gbenga. When he had
driven him. Kpemo, w.,
hunter, used with the
name of the animal,
bird, fish, etc.; as, h^lf
gbemo a hgie
Kpe and kpele, tr. v., to
behold, to see, to cast
lots, to look at. Wa bi
hani ji gbele, to mind,
to guard ; to look at^
upon ; to observe. Kpe-
mo, w., overseer, guardian^
keeper
Kpe, def. st. kpei, n., debt,
credit
Kpe-boma, n., net for
catching wild animals
Kpegbe, n., parrot; some
kind* of frog
Kpegbe, n., imprecation,
naaleciiction, curse
Kpegbe, w., comb. Ta ti
wiindie hiigbia a kpagbe
Kpegbeli", w., cruelty, afflic-
tion; adj., cruel, hard-
hearted, savage
Kpe gbia, tr. v., to pay a
debt, to serve, to minister.
Ti kpe gbia ngi we
Kpe-gbia-mo, one who
renders service, servant.
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VEKDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
59
minister. Kpf-gbla-mo
mahongo, a chosen or fit
servant, instrument
Kj)egele, intens. adv., very.
Ngi ganyango kpegele
Kpe-hani, w., spectacle,
gazing-stock
Kpe-hou, to be in want
Kpein = kpen, the whole.
Folo kpen, off, over ; and
kpen, all. ¥019 kpen
mu jia
Kpeje and kpeje-bonda,
some kind of aromatic
gum used by women,
frankincense
Kpeka, n., razor. Kpekei
nyandingo, the razor is
sliarp
Kpekele, «., the leading
man or woman of the
Himo
Kpekpa, tr, u., to cross from
one side to the other, to
lay across. Ti ngiilu
fele bumbu, ti yela kpe-
kpa, ipekei bolo bu li
kpakpa
Kpekpa, n,, breadth
Kp|kpalu, n., the ridge pole
of a house
Kpekpe, tr, v., to become
good* to improve, to
increase in some quality
of goodness, to become
profitable. Ti kpekpengo
yele gbon. They were very
good
Kpekpe, adj., good, valu-
able, desirable, suitable ;
91., profit, suitableness,
. utility
Kpekpe, v-., to care for. A
kpekp§, with care
Kpekpe, n., cockroach.
Kpekpe b§li, the skill of
the cockroach ; plu. kpe-
gbonga
Kpekpe, tr, v., to sift,
to separate by shaking ;
to cluck like a hen; to
tremble convulsively
Kp^kpeli, n., a worm of the
caterpillar kind
Kpekpeya, n., fitness, ex-
plediency, proficiency
Kpela and kpelango, prep.,
near, by; w!, side, part,
close to
Kpela, tr. v., to mature, to
reach puberty, matured.
Used of females
Kpela-gbia, tr. v., to cleanse
and dress well. Used of
young females. Kyapoi
na a kpela-gbia
Kpele and kpere, adj., all,
every one. Wu kpele wa
pe lo
Kpele, n,, beard
Kpele-vanja, n., a person
with long thick beard
Kpele, tr, v., to smart ; to
blister by a whip or by
rubbing; to itch. Used
of the irritation caused
by scratching grass
Kpele, n., time; bed of
raised earth
Kpele, tr. v., lo snarl, to
growl, to beware, to
take heed ; growling
Kpele, and kpe, tr, v., to
leave, to leave off, to for-
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60
IfENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULART,
Kpf a hlnda nyft-
mu, leave off doing evil.
Kpele ma gole Dyeglngo,
bill of divorcement
Kpele, aJso kpe, def. st.
kpfi, time; adv., when.
I kpele yakpei na ma,
The very same time;
kpelei ji, that time;
since*. I kpelf i ji b61a, The
people of tfiis time = this
generation. Epeleisia,
ages
Kpel|, intr. v^ to roar like
a lion
Kpelema, f i, n., time. An
outcast
Kpelenyo, n., guinea com,
broom com
Kpeli, tr. v., to tremble, to
spin, to shudder, to shiver,
to fear, to shake. Ko hi-
nde ji a pf mu gbeli
Epelo, n., a cat-fish having
a* light colour
Kpelu, also kpoli, n., river,
stream, brook; a large
earth-worm about eigh-
teen inches long. Lukpe
pelu-hii. Put in the creek,
t.e. drive into a corner in
an argument
Epema, n., water-deer red-
dish in colour,with white
stripes, long pointed
nose, body two or three
feet long
Kpf ma, adj. and n., barren,
unproductive ; barren-
ness. I gbf mango yele
Kpf ma, n., time, I kpf infi
na ma» at that time
Kpema, fi, n., the place
where anything is shown
or to be seen
Kpf ma, n., company; wa
kpfma wf, do not keep
company;* to be a par-
taker of
Kpfma-mo, plu. kpema-
b^la, partaker of; 'and
kpfma hlnda hu, in ne-
cessities
Kpembo, tr. v., to disen-
tangle, to loosen ; to ex-
plain, to answer ; to plead
for one's self in court ; to
return answers to ques-
tions. Kpembo wa ngua
ma (Luke xxi. 14)
Kpemu, intens. adv., rerj.
Niimui kiitungo kpemu
Kpf nda, tr. v., to pluck, as
fruit; to take away
forcibly, as children or
money. Ngi woma-b61e-
sia ti mbf gbfndaa, to
fall down *
Kpende, tr. v., to hinder, to
delay, to detain, to stunt
the growth; adv., tardy,
delinquent. Kpende kpe-
nde-mo a ngid
Kpende, 91., some kind of
tree
Kpene, tr. v., to scrape, to
clean or whiten by
scraping
Kpengi,n., yesterday. Kpe-
ngi nda gbengi, the day
before yesterday
KpenI, n., a small greenish
lizard ; to become a lizard,
or a sly cunning person.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
61
K&s5 kpeni a big. Mu
jiama a kpeni
Epenl-hlnda, n., deceit,
subtlety, craftiness
Epenl-yen^f-mo, deceitful
worker
Kpenje, v., to crumble, to
break into pieces by
beating ; to scowl by con-
tracting the eyebrows ;
grain broken into small
fragments. Mba gbenye
Kpen, adj.y all, whole, very.
Ha kpen, all day long, the
whole day
Kp^nene, Kpenenengo,
tinkling (1 Cor. xiii. 1)
Epengla, cross, unwilling
to favour
Kpengbe, w., float for a fish-
hook ; a small kind of
monkey
Kpengbeyalu, n,, bed-bug
Kpenkpeje, ndv,, com-
pletely. Ngi kpoyoa
kpenkpeje
Kp§vu, ir, v., to gather in
one place
Kpf wo, n,, stock ; a heavy
log of wood used to con-
fine captives, criminals,
and slaves
Kpewo, n., a trap made
with a spring pole for
catching monkeys, squir-
rels, etc.
Kpewo, tr, v., to squeeze, to
clinch with the hand, to
punch between two hard
surfaces
Kpewu, n., a short rod
with a forked end for
stirring rice and other
food while cooking
Kpeya, tr, v., to stand aside,
to make way for another
Kpi = gbi
Kpl, intens. adv., very;
precipitately, confusedly.
I dewf 6 kpl and kpi, very
Kpla * = gbia, tr, and intr.
v., to depart, to come
out. Sf gbIa, to give
thanks. To take from, a
gbIa lo wu yeya. To cast
out, tear off, take off.
Ke ti maha-tomoi gbIa
ngi ma. To put forth,
ndawa gbla. Mu gbIa hi-
nda nyamu yeya, Deliver
us from evil. * To take by
force, ti tei gbfa. To
perform a miracle, ka-
Dande gbia. Kpla nya
w6ma. Get thee behind
me. To tell a, story, d6-
mei gbia. Nya gahii gbl-
anga a bi d5la, lit. My
inside rises at a sight
of thee = I am glad to
see thee. Nya To wH-
lima, gbamaile nya gahii
gbiango. Pof gbia,
adultery. Nga'wu gbia,
laying eggs. To resemble
Kpia, ei, t»., coming forth ;
experiment, proof
Kpla-gglu, n., iron ore
Kpia-hani, captured goods
retaken
KpTa-lo, n., the firstborn.
I kpla hindo-lgi lea
Kpia-mo, one older; a cap-
tive retaken
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62
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
KpIa-p5ma-ino, one that is
approved of
Kplaye-hani, w., likeness.
Ngi gblango If, example
Kpikpi, n., electric fish
IKpikpilima, w., the thickest
place of the forest
Kpila, n,, offence, trespass,
injury done. Nya gbia
lo wu la a ke
Kpili, adv., quiveringly.
A gbeli kpili
Kpili or nja gbili, n., dark
watery cloud
Kpindi, n. and adj., night,
darkness; dark^ obscure;
to darken
Epindi-lia, n., midnight.
Kina kpindi liei hitini,
"When midnight had
come
Kpindibo, w., night stroller,
night walker
Kpindi-go, w., night war-
attack
Xpindi-nlli, w., a very dark
night
Kpindi-vama, n., an even-
ing visit
Kpindi-wele, n., prison,
jail. Ke ti ngi wiia kpi-
ndi wele bu
Kpindi- we-bu-mo, plu. kpi-
ndi- we- bub61a, bulelsia,
prisoner
Kpindi-we-mahii-gbe -mo,
prison-keeper, guard
Kpingi ma or gbingima, n.,
yesterday
Kpin, adv., dark, darkly
Kpini, tr. v., to twist, to
wring, to turn round
Kpinyi, r?., many. FHhanl-
sia ti gbinyingo
Kpinyingo, to be plentiful
Kpiri, adv., much
Kpiti, plu. kpitini, n., grass.
Kpiti mumuisia, small
grass
Kpiti, intr, v., to overgrow
with grass ; tr. v., to rub
upon, to come in contact
with, to gradually over-
power
Kplo = kpulo, to tie, to tie
a knot
Kploma, w., knot. Tukpe
kploma, to drive to a
knot, i.e. to bring to a
diflftculty in an argument
= to drive into a corner
Kpo = gbo
Kp5, n., residuum, sediment,
dregs, dung. Ti kpo
gula
Kpg, adj., used with wo, to
sjgnify a long time past.
Ngi pei lo wo kpo
Kpo, n. and v., scar, cica-
trix ; a bag of skin ; to
heal = gbo. A kpo gbe,
Help ye to cateh
Kpogbo, n., hammer
Kpogbou, adj., red. Tufa
b5we ji gboboungo
Kpphii, w., bread, flour.
Ngi kpohu g61a yela
yoya
Kpohii-yiife, v., meal, flour
Kp5hii-ve-hani, n., vinegar
Kpoja, 71., lymphatic glands
in the thigh
Kpoja, adj., hard, hardened
by age. Tange kpojango
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
es
Kpoki, r?., large hip-bones
Kpoko, w., evening. Epoko
volo, evening sun, i.e.
between folo ngiindia
and kpokonye, i.e. be-
t\»een midday and the
evening twilight = after-
noon. Kpoko-vo, about
three o'clock p.m. ; and
kpoko voi, about five
o'clock
Kpoko = kpokolo, an aged
person. I \votea a kpo-
kolo
Kp5k5 wova, a very old
person
Kpoko sape, a jolly, strong
oid man
Kpoko nina, one that has
commenced to get old,
and has got a few grey
hairs
Kpokpa, to cross, to lay
arrows
Kpokpo, n.t a vine with
leaves like^ the yellow
potato
Kpokpo, w., skin, cheek.
Kpokpo-klakla, the little
swellings below the jaw-
bone near the chin
Kpokpo, w., native cloth
woven in squares ; tr. v.,
to hem
Kpokp5hop;o, n., a kind of
mushroom ; tlie grub of
a kind of beetle
Kpokpolu, n., leprosy
Kpokporo, flw?v., completely,
entirely Ti lokpongo
kpokporo
Kpokpou, adj., leprous
Kpokpouma, n., leprosy
Kpokpou-mo, n,y leprous
person
Kpoku, v., to sprout, to
bud, to shoot forth ; w.,
bud. Mba-kpoku
Kpole, adj., green, imma-
ture, unripe. Saro gbole
Kpole, t7\ v., to clap wi'tli
tfiehand; to germinate,
to begin to sprout
Kpole, tr. v., to drink. Nya
ta-'vei gbole, I smoke
tobacco. To* swallow, to
suck, to kiss. I ngi loi
la gbolea
Kpolr, adj'.y swelled in wales
from whipping. Ngi
liiwui ma Kpolingo
Kpoli, n., river, brook
Kpoli, w., worm without feet
Kpcjli-la, n., mouth of a
river
Kpolo, kpoloisia, w., lap
Kpolo, n., salt. Kpolo-hiia.
Kpolo-ya, salt water, sea,
ocean. Kpolo jo, sack,
stick of Fait
Kpolu =kpowu, kpou, tr.
v., to redden, to become
red; to become severe,
tiresome ; to become dis-
tressing. Ti liiwui ma
kpolunjro. They were
much afraid
Kpolu, adj., prolapsus ani,
used in abusive language
Kpoma, n.f anus
Kpoma, w., help, assistance
and kpoma-hani
Kpoma-mo, n., helper
Kpomba, assurance
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64
MENDB-ENGLISH VOCABULAKY.
Kpombo, tr, v., to besmear,
to rub
Kpomu, tr. v., to roughly
hiew, to block out, to do
imperfectly
Kpomnjo, n,^ a member of
Sande
Kpona,* plu. kponani, n,,
staff, club. I ngi If wea
gbon a kpona
Kponda, tr. v., to urge, to
press, to bear upon, to
force, to constrain, com-
pell, coerce. I gbondaa
ngi ma
Kponda, n., urgent demand.
I gbonda heii lo nya
ma
Kponda-kponda, to press
upon gently and re-
peatedly
Eponde, tr, v., to press one
thing upon another, to
stick, to adhere to
Kponde, n., a squirrel-like
animal that feeds at
night
Kpond5, tr, v., to drag, to
draw heavily, to rub
harshly, to bruise. Amu
ngurui gb0nd5
Epondo, n./ a wild fowl,
perhaps a kind of guinea-
fowl
KpoDi, n,, enlarged testicle
Kpgni, tr, v,, to conspire
against ; n., conspiracy
Kpgno, n., a kind of fig tree
Kpono,n., brain; thick wine
or sap from an old palm
tree
Kponye, intr, v., to murmur,
to grumble; complaint,
murmur ; complaining, •
discontented
Kpongbo, tr, v.,io smooth by
rubbing, to iron cloth,
to skip; to incubate or
set, as a hen upon eggs
Kpongbo, n., one being ini-
tiated into the Himo
Kpongbo-giila, tr, v., to turn
up the soil by the hoe, to
plough
Kpongl)gni, n., epilepsy
Kpongbula, n., a kind of
bird
Kpoo, exclamation of sur-
prise
Kporo, tr, v., to overboil,
boiled very soft ; lame in
the feet; weakened by
sickness or wounds.
Kporongo, to be lame
Kpgro-mo, n., lame person
Kporo, n., oath, imprecation
of evil to attest truthful-
ness. Nya v6te ngi ji
weni. Nga mla ngi nya
nj§ wani
Kp5s5, n., the falling down
in a crushing trap
Kpota, n., vulva
Kp6t5, adj\, plenty, many,
abundant, sufficient
KpStoma, n,, plenty, many,
multitude. Ti gbotoma
ta wa
Kp5t6ngo, to be numerous,
many
Kpoto, adv,, completely
Kpoto, n., the scum that
rises in boiling, as in oil-
making
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
65
Kpotu, tr, V, and adj., to
thicken ; thick, sub-
stantial
Kpou, adj., red. Kpoungo,
to be or to make red
Kpon, to be hard, difficult ;
and like kpolu, to shut,
to stopple, to bury.
Kpowungo le poma, it is
excluded
Kpoula, w., burial, burial-
place ; i.q. kpou ma
Kpovg, v., to grow large
and fleshy
Kpovo, 71., desolation, ruin,
without inhabitant. Kdo-
loi a we a kpovo
Kpovo, n., thicket
Kpovovo, a kind of green
pigeon
Kpowa, n. and v., simple,
foolish, idiotic, crazy ; to
become insane, deranged.
Kene ji ngi nemahulengo
wg ke i gbowaa na : ir. v.,
to deceive. Ti ngi gbo-
wai lo
Epgwa, n., a person not
connected with any
society
Kpowe, 71., a kind of mush-
room
Kpgwo, 71., ankle
Kpowo, 71., a hollow iron
rattle with two nngs in
each end, used by
dancers
Kpoyo, n., cowry. Kpoyo-
go, the game of throwing
cowries ; to play the game
Kpoyo, tr. v., to finish, to
complete, to perfect; to
be all spent, to end.
Numu gbonyongo, num.
twenty
Kpu = gbu
Kpu, plu. kpiia, ti., farm-
house, hut, temporary
shed in the field. Ti yi
gbii
Kpu, 7i., whole, the whole
piece. Kpuisia. I k5lo
kpu yela majiaa ngi ma
Kpiieila = kpii, n., hut, tent
Kpuha, ei, n., body of a
person* animal, tree,. or
anything whole. Ngi
salo, kpiiha mea. Kpu-
ha-iaii, adv., bodily
Kpuhango, whole
Kpiija, tr. v., to jump down,
to work vigorously, to
turn up the soil with a
hoe, to make sweet and
watery by cutting the
stalk of plants
Kpuka, tr. v., to cut in small
pieces for cooking, as
cassada or other things
Kpuko, 71., bed, the place
for resting ; preparing or
acting
Kpiiko makpo, tr, v., to
share the bed with
another
Kpiiko-mani, ti., a bird-
snare
Kpiikpula, n. and v.,
diarrhoeal excrement; to
cause diarrhoea. Mehe
nyamui ji i nya gbii-
kpulaa
Kpakpule, tr. v., to brush
off, to shake off
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Kpukpuli and kpukpulu,
n., crumbs, dust, small
particles ; tr. v., to break
into small fragments by
a single blow
Kpiikpunye, n., a kind of
ant lion
Kpula, tr, v., to miss the
mark, as in shooting or
striking; to fail in an
undertaking. Exclama-
tion, God forbid !
Kpiila, n., calabash, bottle,
gourd; made of those
gourds that have necks
Kpulf , tr. v., to shave. I ngi
wiii gbulea, to remove
from. Ti'gbiilea ndoloi
na hii
Kpiile, w., emigration
Kpfilen, adv., suddenly
Kpiilo, w., a kind of hom-
bill, knot
Kpiilo, tr. v., to tie a knot,
to hitch, as a horse to a
tree ; to swell, as from a
blow
Kpulo-kpiilo, adj.y knotty.
Ngiirui kpiilo-kpulongo
Kpulu, n., cave, (Jen, hollow
in a tree
Kpunde, w., oppression,
violence. Ta kpunde
gulaa
Kpiinde, tr. v., to lay hold
OD, to bounce upon, to
seize forcibly
Kpiinde, w., an event caus-
ing great excitement, and
leading to violent pro-
ceedings, as the shedding
of blood. Kpunde-hinda
Kpiindo, n., west ; the lower
place, as the mouth of a
river when compared with
its source
Kpiindo, intr, v., to swell ;
to rise a little, as a brook
from early rain
Kpiindo-pele, w., space be-
tween hills, valley
Kpunye, w., charcoal
Kpiita, tr. v., to bore holes
through a vessel, to cut
through as an auger; intr,
v., to burst through over-
boiling, to eat through as
worms do
Kpiitu, n,, tadpole, polli-
wig
Kpiiwa, w., rain-shed, farm-
house, store-house for
rice. See Kpu
Kpiiwandi, n., a thorny
shrub
Words beginning with L,
and not found under this
letter, will be found under
Nd. For La see Nda ; for
Le see Nde, Le nde ; for Li
seeNdi ; for Lo see Ndo ; for
Lu see Ndu. ^ee Mende
Grammar, §§ 23-28.
Hence,La, Lai, Laa, or La,
Laisia must be looked for
under Nda, leaf; and La-
lei, Laa, or La, Leisia
under Nda, mouth or
word. Lapi, see Ndapi
La, def. st. lai; plu. laa or la,
laisia = ndaa, nda ; w., leaf
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
67
La, def. st. lei, pin. lelsia, n.,
mouth, word,* opening of
any kind. Gbo lo bi la
ba nde, What is thy word
thou sayest? =what hast
thou to say? Mu gbi
njiei lo mu la nde va.
La* gomi, to kiss. I ngi
la gomi. Ndogboi-la,
bush mouth, outskirts
La, tr, and intr. v., to lie
down, lay down, to place,
to put, to cast, to enact, to
establish (see Nda); to
trust, confide, believe in ;
to dare, venture
La, adv., not. Ngi la hinde
i ji we
La, prep., with, before ; adv,,
then. A la hfje. He then
(or before) got up. Kii
lole teweni ta la ngi lo?
no longer. Ngi la ndoe-
hii, I am no longer in
the world
La, tr, v., to begin. Ta la
yi. They began to sleep ;
to continue. Nge la me
gboma
La, w.,name; def.st. lei. Ngi
lei lo a kpana. Ta bi la
ge. They show thy name =
they believe in thee
Labu, compound of la,
mouth, and bu, under,
in, n,, front; prep., before,
in the presence of. Ta
lo doni pe labu. He was
standing before (in the
mouth of) the house, in
the door
Lagba, intr, v., to grow up,
large; to mature, to reach
the age of puberty. Used
only of males. Ke kina
lagbani
Lagbft-lo, plu. lagbaloisia,
n., young man
Lagbole, tr. v., to kiss upon
the niouth
Lagbou or lagbowu, tr. v.,
to shut, to close
Lagela, to put mouth in =
to make mention; to re-
member
Lago, tr. v., to feed. A ti
lago
Lagiiru, def. st. lagurui, plu.
lagiirua, lagiiruisia, n.,
lip
La-hei, tr. v., to name; to
call by the name of
another, as a child
Lahi, tr. v., to caution, to
warn, to counsel, to ad-
vise, to order, to com-
mand; to mind, to give
heed, to care for. La-
hingo ye 1?, They were
warned
Lahila,ver6. w.,commanding,
instructing, warning
Lai (see La), to lay, etc.
Lai, n., troops assembled,
army. Lai heime
Lakpa. (See Lagba.)
Lala, tr. v., to pull, to draw,
to drag, to grow, to
advance in stature; n.,
oar
Lalabu, n., an Arab
Lali, tr. v., to relate, to
state, to give account of;
to mind, to take heed.
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MENDB-ENGLISH VOCABUIJLBY.
attend to. I lalini, He
took no heed. Ba lall
ma, Care not for it
Lalo, w., iron rattle
Lama, f i, n., a place to lie
down', bed-chamber, bed
Lama = tama, adj., foolish,
prodigal, vain. NJ'a ma
lamango 13
Laraa-gbate, tr, v., to make
ready, to prepare ; to put
aside for safe keeping
Lambo, v., to raise one's self
up, to become straight
Lambu, tr. v., to stretch
out, forth. I ngi I6k5i
lambunga
Lame, v. tr.^ to stretch one's
self. I lame a ngi gbayfi
gbi
Langi, w., a long pointed
knife
Lango, w., a native cloth
Lango, what is appointed,
fixed = natural
Lango, w., faith, trust. Ji va
bi lango a &g6 hi boa.
Nya lango le a wu|,' I
have confidence in you,
or I persuade you to be
confident
Lanye, n., a broad fiat ring
upon the wrist, bracelet
Lanye, n., the sword-fish
Lanyo, n., an adulterous
person
Lapa, tr. v., to braid with
three strands, to braid
Lapa, tr. v., to fight, to
struggle, to use great
efibrt, to swim. I Tapia
nje htL kaka
Lapi, to cross the water by
swimming ; and the
meanings of the preceding
word. Lapi-mo,onewho
fights, swims, etc.
Lata, ei, n., coast, district,
regions, towns
LatO, tr. v., to praise, to
glorify ; to approve one's
self
Laval i, n., interpreter, me-
diator, advocate, prime
minister
La vengo, filled to the mouth ,
brimful. Tekpe wgfela
lavengo
Law5i to boast. Ba lawo,
boast not
Lawo e law6 nge wo yama,
should not glory before
God
LawQ-hani or hinda, glory-
ing, a thing to boast
LawQ, to open the mouth,
and merely to open.
Eamba lawongo
Laya, proper name
La-yla, la-yifi, la-ylelsia,
lit. mouth-word, word.
Eina ti ye mahfi Ia-yl$i
menini
Le=nde
Le, n., birth. L6 vOloi,
birthday
Lf , tr. v., to beget ; to bear,
give birth. Ngi ndo lolu
lenga, to breed. ' Nya
h*agb§ makf ndsle va.
I nd$ l§a
Le, tr. v., to lift up, to carry,
to bear ; to go up, to
* climb up = de. Ti bi le
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MENBE-ENailSH VOCABULARY.
69
ti ygya. Ndului a le
ngfle'ya. Ngl lengo I le
Le, adv,, yet, still. Klna
le iy§ yiama
Le (nde), to speak, to tell ;
to pass sentence, to
decide against, to declare
guilty, to condemn. Nde
Iga, He has told a lie. Ti
l|nga. Ti ngi le ha va,
Ifngo le. I ngi nemahii
lengo se
Ij^'y suhst. v., to be. Nya 1§,
it is I ; bia I 1$, it is not
thou. Ina na 1 1§, if it be
not that ; so = otherwise
Le (nde), a lie ; def. st. lei
Leb^la, plu. of le-mo = ndg-
*mo, nd^belfsia = If hel|-
isia, parent, master, ruler,
king
LegSli, n., a large ulcer
Legbu, n., limber
Legilegi, n, and adv., by
order, in turns, in course ;
slowly
Lehei, v., to impose upon
Ii|-hlnda, n., judgment
Le hinda, n., condemnation
Lei, def. st. of la, name
Lei, def. st of nde, lie
Leke, adv., only, all, alone,
continuously, custom-
arily. Per syncope, le or
lee. Lf ke-lekf , more and
more
Lekpe, tr, v., to form into a
line, to stand or place in a
successive manner. Ndo-
p5isia ti lekpe hinde ji,
to* permit. Mu lekpea bi
wf. Wa lekpe ngafa nya-
mui we. Bo not give place
to the evil spirit. Lekpe-
ngo, to be disorderly.
To bend, to wind, to in-
cline, to lean to. Lekpe-
lekpe, adv,, alternately,
by turns, in succession
Lekpu, intr. v., to limp, to
be lame ; lame, weakened.
Kai ti lekpungo
Leia, verb, n,, speaking,
saying
Lele, adj, and adv., slowly,
moderately, without en*
ergy. Yia lele. Kene na
ngi hulelengo
Lele, adj., black
Lele, n., wrong, to be in
the wrong. Nya lele, bi
lele, I am, thou art, in the
wrong
L§li, tr. v., to wet, to cool,
to appease, to satisfy ; to
be wet, to be soft, tender,
cool ; to be pleased, to be
at peace. Ndl lelingo, of
a tender heart. Ndi lelia,
to be resigned
Lf ma (ndf ma), tr. v., to for-
get, to allow to pass out
of mind. Ngi lemani bi
ma
Lembi, tr. and intr. v., to
stop, stay long at a
place, to tarry ; to remain,
to last, to continue, to
linger. I ngi walei lem-
binga. Elembi tiinu nge-
bu
Le-mo, plu. lemoa and It-
bSla, one who begets,
father, i»e, the natural
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
father ; while ke is more
an expression of respect,
as, master, Mr., parent.
LeDgo, to be born
Lem'ungo, to be in the right,
to he cleansed, to be
justified
Left, adv,, uljright, erect,
straight, l^gwm do len
Lende, r?., a small rat or
mouse
Lende, tr. v., to stand on
the* toes, to walk tiptoe ;
to strike, to struggle to-
gether. Lendeisia
Lende-kpa, tr. v.] to lift or
carry a heavy thing be-
tween several
Lenga, plu. of If, children
Lfnga = tenga, adv,, to-
gether, in unison
Lenge-magbeli, adj., delay-
ing to perform till too
late to do it well
Lengi, adj., slender, not
thick. Mu poa kaka, ke i
loa na ke lengi-lengi
Lengo, to be guilty, to be
condemned. Lengo ha va,
to be condemned to death
Lengo, to be exalted, puflfed
up
Letf, tr, v., to lead about.
Letema, leading ^bout.
Lftfnga nyevi-nyevi
Letfwe, intr, v., to walk
about
Leti, n., some kind of grass
Leva, r?., a cover for dishes
made of the fibre of the
palm
Leve, «., food of rice flour
Levu, (ndevu) n., life,
breath; intr. v., to breathe,
to live, to rest, to blow,
i.e.to rest. Wu levu, take
rest
Levuma, n., life, resting-
place
Lewe = ndf we = tewf,<r.t;.,
to beat, to strike; to pass,
surpass ; to cross a river ;
denoting the com parati ve,
to be better. Ke ndevui i
leweni me-hani ma, ke
kpiilei i leweni kolo ma ?
Njei nya l|w|anyamungo.
Lewf , to pass aside
Lew'ela, verb, n,, striking,
beating
Lewo, comp. adv., never of
old, never before
Lewe-maya, ei, w., victory ;
thy passing superior
Le we-tiiwoi, n., forwardness,
readiness
Li (ndi), w., plu. llmaisia
and llnieisia, irregular
being formed of lima,
heart in the widest sense
of the word. It is used
as the grammatical siib-
ject or object of verbs,
expressing the emotions
of the soul and mind, as
of affection and hatred,
as well as of some bodily
complaints. The most
common expressions of
this kind are the follow-
ing : — ^Nya ll gbi hindoi
ma, I have no heart i.'^.
no trust or confidence in
that man. Nya II lo bi
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mende-p:nglish vocabulary.
71
ma, My heart is with
thee, I.e. I confide in thee.
Bi ll i lo mi? Where is
. thy heart? Ngilinyania,
His heart is spoiled, i.e,
he is dejected, disheart-
ened, cast down, broken-
hearted. Nya li lengo ngi
ma, My heart is cool on
him, i.e. I am pleased or
delighted with him. Li
dewea, The heart is cut,
«.e. to be angry, vexed.
Ngi II dewea nyoko gbi,
He was not very angry
or vexed. Bi li i leli. Be
of good cheer. Niiolui
na a hinda hou li ma.
This man holds his heart
(under control), i.e, is
patient, forbearing. Ma
ngi ll lei lo. We will calm
him, appease, satisfy him.
Ngi ll he lea. His heart
was suspended = he was
troubled, perplexed
Liambo-mo, w., snake-
charmer
Jjl-hou, to be forbearing,
long-suffering. Wa li-hou
manu-bSla we. Ye bear
vrith fools. Wu ll a wote-
wote. Be not of doubtful
mind
Ll nyaningo, to be sorrow-
ful. Ngi wu 11 nyania lo
Li wote, tr, v., to persuade
Li, intr, v., to go, to journey,
to lead. Li bi nde nya
nje ma nya lo wama. Li
a, go with, is to take or
carry, lead to. Ti ye lini
a tie pebu. Ma li lo a
nyapoi *ta we ka. Wa
li a ng§. Take me not
away
Lia (ndia), liei, n., midst,
middle, centre ; prep.
and adv., among, in*
the midst. Samanga
lla yudia. Among the
princes of Jndah
Liambo-mo, n., a snake-
charmer
Lidoi, n., bravery
Ligba, n., the second official
in the Sande
Ligbili, adj. and n., cloudy,
a dark cloud
Likpo, n, a spinning top;
v., to dispute. Likpo-
gbla-mo, disputer
Lila, verh n., going, de-
parture
Li-la, to go, going; take
two verbs, to carry, to
bring. Ngi se-gbla li-la
va a nge, I thank thee for
taking me to him
Lileli va, tr. v., to appease,
to reconcile
LMenga = tehga = tewe-
iiga, they were annoyed,
had indignation
Lima (ndima), def. st. limei
71., will, choice. Bi lima
biimbu. Nya lima gbi
njlei hii, I have no choice
in this matter
Lima-ga'e, plu. lima-gelesia,
n.y hatred, revenge *
Lima-hinda, n., will, mind,
decision, judgment, sen-
tence
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72
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Limba, tr. v., to twist, to
spin. Ti fande limbama
Limbfingo, twisted, spun.
Nyabanga ta kula gbate
a fande limbango
Lingo, going or gone
Liwi = tiwi, to close
Lo (ndo), def. st. loi (the plu.
is formed from ie, to bear,
hence lenga, lengesia, and
lengeisia), child,* either
son or daughter. Nya
hindo loi, My male child,
i.e, my son. Nya nyaha
loi. My female child, i.e,
my daughter. The young
of animals; as, tet$i,
chicken
Lo (to), to build. Ti ta loni
Lo (ndo), loi, w., mm ; fer-
mented sap of different
species of the palm ; any
kind of fermented liquor.
Ndufu or nduvu loi, palm
wine
Lo, subs, v., to be; infin,,
loni. Nya lo wama, I am
coming. Lo yeya, to be in
hand, i,e, to ha^e, to pos-
sess; as, mbala lo nya
yeya, I have a sheep in my
hand, i.e. I possess a
sheep. Hani gbl nya yf ya.
Nothing in hand = I have
nothing
Lo = d5 = ta, to send. I ti
iSngatei hd. Nya longo I
l|, 1 am not sent
Lo,* def. St. 16i, n., desire,
wish, want] need, like,
love; tr. v., to love, to like,
to wish, to want. L$ngo,
as, nya longo a ngid i
dewe nya nde ma
Lo *= do = to-loni, doni,
toni, tr. v., to see, to show
Lo, tr. v., to stand, to stop ;
to leave, to be left; to
remain
Lo, n., space of time, as a
day of a week ; also loe
Lo (ndg), tr. v., to search
out, after, to seek. Loma,
L6, tr. v., to leave, forsake.
*Ti ngi iQnga nji hfi, They
left him asleep. L5 te,
leave little wanting from*;
adv., nearly, almost, with-
in a little
Loe, n., a week, a fixed
time ; and lowo
LobSla (tomo), w., messen-
ger, angel
Lgei, def. st. of ndole = lo,
country. I hinda yekpe
wf i lo ti loei va
Logix), tr. v., to scrateh.
Logboa, scratched
Logbo, w., a kind of monkey
with yellowish back and
whitish belly
L6gbo, intr. v. and adj., to
wither, to fade, to become
dried up; withered, faded
Lo-hani, w., cattle, creatures
Lohani wiilSngoIsia, n.,
fatted cattle *
L6hfi, intr. v., to lose, to
*perish,tobe lost = ndSlo-
M = l^mahtl. Ti gbi' ti
loi lo me hii
LqI*, def.st.'loT,w.,time,space,
room. Nil hindo-loi i wa
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HENDE-BKaUSH VOCABULABT*
73
na bao va lo i ye 15i hu,
The &on of Man came
to save that which was
lost
Lola, intr, v., to grow, to in-
crease in size
Lola, verb, w., growing, in-
creasing
Loko, n., hand, arm. Yeya
l6koi, the right, gowo
I6k5i, the left arm. Loko-
go-wo, his workmanship
Loko, w., post, pillar. Nete
loko, 71., door. Loko lei,
n,, wrist
Lole (ndole), hunger
Lole, interrog. adv.y how
many? Hii lole nja bi
yabele ? How long shall
we watch or take notice
of thee?
Loli, tr, v., to play, to sport,
to frolic; to trifle, make
light of
L6li-nyo, w., playmate
Lolo, w., cat of a thievish
character
LSlongo, to be jealous; n.,
jealousy
Lolo, plu. lololsia, n*, duck
LolQ-hix = ndolohu, to lose,
be lost
Lolo = ndolo, w., ground,
earth, land, world. Loloi
hii, on the ground
Lolu, num, adj., five. Lolu
gelg, the fifth. Lolu lolui,
plu. lolua, loluanga folu-
Isia. Nunga Iglua ti wa
Loma, tr, v., to give a hand-
ful of food; the food so
given. Wa^bi Igmf hou
tioma, ei, n., love. Ti Ipmei
a gole lo
Loma, ei, w., cloak, robe,
armour. Maha loma, royal
robe
Loma, as, a loma ngi ke
heima, He is the heir of
his father
Lomanyo, plu. l6manyoa,
lomanyoisia, dearly be-
loved
Lombo, n., patch ; v., to
patch
Lombo (tombo), to be-
come a ruin, to fall in
ruin, to become desolate.
Lombongo, to be desolate
Lombu, tr. v., to dive, to
sink, to be overthrown
Lombula, verb, n., sinking,
decaying
Lome, adv., softly, noise**
lessly. A jia lome-lome
Lomi, interrog. adv., where ?
L5mo, n., messenger, angel
L5moya, n., messengership,
apostleship
Lon, intens. adv., very
Lgnda, it is concluded, it is
finished
Londema, n., nail, spike
Londl, n., peninsula
Londo, to silence, to become
still, silent
Londongo, to be silent
Longa, n., a long musket :
v., to roast fish wrapped
in a leaf with condi-
ments
Longebu, n., one living still
L5ng6, longroi, longolsia,
lost. Mbala longolsia
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^ENDE-ENGUSH VOCABULARY,
Loni, to be 'left. Iloni
ndogbi hu
Lonya, ei, n,, faith. Bi
lonyei. Lonya hinda, w.,
Mief, religion. Nya lonya
va I le, ke Jisu Kristi
lonya hinda va
Lonyango, to be faithful,
to be justified
Lopa (ndopa), n., deer
Lopo, lopoi, lopoisia =
ndopo, w., child
LQpong'o, to be a child
Loto, v., to go about doing
errands or light work ; to
send about
Loto = toto, tr, v., to begin
Lovo-higbe, w., palsy
Lowo, lolo, n., goitre. Lowo
heini ngi bolg hii
T owo = ndow(^, n., horn
Lowo, r?., week
Lowu, tr, v., to hide
Lowiingo, to he hid. Ti
lowungo le bima
Lqwu = ndowu hii, in
secret, privately
Lowula, verb, n., hiding
Lqwu ma hinda yela, n,,
revelation of a secret
Lu = ndu
Lii = ndiiwu, w., flesh
Liia, n., fear. Ba liia. Ba liia
a ngi jola. 1 liiani kiilo
be. He was not afraid
even a little, i.e. not at all
Liia = Idwa, tr. v., to fear.
Liiango, to be afraid
Liia, def. st. liiei, w., middle
Liiahfi, in the inidst. Post
position, between. Liiahii
gole, to divide, to sepa-
rate. Hindei' ngaye fele
liiahu, the place between
two mountains, i.e. valley.
Na i mu liiahii lani
(ndane, to gratify ? ) who
has reconciled us
Liiailo (see Liia orLiiwa),fear
Luawoni (Gal. iii. 1), set
forth, exhibited in a way
so as to be known. Com-
pare Ndiiwa-wo, descrip-
tion of a person given for
his recognition and ap«
prehension
Liiba, tr. v., to bless, to
favour with good, to
prosper. Liibango wai,
highly favoured. K9i na
liibango le i bi leni
Liiba, n., ink
Luf ,luenga,to pass through
the midst
Lufa, tr. v.y to spend the
day at a place
Liife (ndufe), tr. v., to put
out, to go out, as a light;
to extinguish ; to end, to
wipe out. Ngombui
liipe ; e liife
Liigba, tr. v., to oflTend. I ngi
liigba bamandf liigb^,
Ring the bell
Liigbu,n., dew, mist. Dun-
kelheit
Liigo, w., front, front side ;
prep., before. Liigo gbe,
to look for, to expect.
Liigo gb§. The time he
looks not for him = is
not aware of
Lii-hani = tii-hani, n., seed
Liihii-hf i, n., weakness. Mu
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
75
luhii hango le, We are
weak. Wu luhu a ha. That
ye faint not
Lukpe (tukpe), to push, to
shove, to move along. I
silo liikpe njei hu
Liikpi, n., mud,* and muddy
Liila, intr, v., to decay, to
rot ; adj\, decayed, rotten.
Ilembi a a liilo e liila,
crown corruptible and
incorruptible
Liili (nduli), n,, smoke,
steam
Liilingo, to be smoking
Luma, liimaisia, n,, body,
flesh, skin
Luma, tr, v., to consent to,
to be in favour of, to be
willing, agreeing ; to an-
swer. Ngi luma, I agree
Liimbe, to be vexed; w.,
vexation, grief. Nja lii-
mbei, troubled waters
Lumbe, w., wave, billow,
with nja
Liimbeika, plu. liimbeika-
sia and liimbSlek^sia, v.,
star
Liimbfle, w., orange, lime
Liimbel|-nyenye, n., line
Liio-mo = liigo-mo, leader
Liiva, intr.v,, to stay long, to
remain all day
Liiwa = Ilia, tr. v., to fear
Liiwa, tr. v., to cook vege-
tables till very soft
Liiwa-hlgbe, w., hernia,
rupture
Liiwama, n., terror. Liiwa-
ngo, to be afraid
Liiw6, n., face; prep., before
Mwu, n., flesh, body. Lii-
wui ji lo nya.
M
Ma, pron., 1 per. plu., we
Ma = mahii, prep., to, unto>
upon, from, against
Ma, pron., 1 per. plu., neg.,
not we, we must not
M&,pers.pron . 1 per. plu*, we ;
and objective, us, to us.
It is by a peculiar con-
traction used for the
first person singular, I ;
as, we and, I and. Nya
lo ma weni I le ku-gbi ma,
it is not I, we, ye always,
for, Me ye have not always
with you. See Mende
Grammar, § 27, B
Ma, conj., for, on account of,
for the sake of = um-
willen. I ha hani ma
Ma, active v., to desire, to
wish, to want. J ma he,
He wished for
Ma-mo, plu. mSbSla, ma-
bSlesia, n., owner, pro-
prietor
Mabali, tr. v., to deny one's
self, to refuse, to prevent,
to withhold, to hinder
Mabe, tr. v., to dry the
surface, as clothes are
dried. Mabfngo, to be
dry. Hinda mabfnga,
dry places
Mabe, to fit
Mabele, tr. v., to observe, to
notice, to watch
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76
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Mabo^ tr. v., to bruise, to
shoot at ; to dig around
Mabola and mabOwa, tr, v.,
to braise the surface
Mabonje, tr. v., to draw with
the fingers slipping upon,
as a string
MabSte, n,, trousers reach-
ing to the knee
Madama, «., folly; gw(/., fool-
ish, prodigal,extra vagant,
wasting; to spend fooU
ishly
Madamala and malamala,
w., folly, foolishness
Madamango, to be foolish,
extravagant
Madamb^ and malambo,
tr, v., to stretch out, as
the limbs
Made, tr, v., to raise up, to
elevate to a higher pitch
of voice. Bi woi made.
To thatch, pelei made
Madeli, tr. v,, to blacken, to
soil
Madema = tf ma-mo, n., an
elderly prson. Ngi ma-
dema, his elder or superior
Madfwf, tr, v,, to curtail,
to reduce; to cross the
way, to detain. Nje i
nya madewea
Madgwo, n,, the fame of a
person or thing
Madiikpe, tr, v., to restore,
return. Nga madiikpe lo
ngi we heima nani
Maga, tr, v., to dance to the
time of music
Magali, i,g, mabali, v., to
deny. Magaii-mo, one
who denies, refuses,
hinders, prevents
Magao, tr, v., to struggle, to
strive for ; to endeavour
to rescue, to preserve, to
heal, to accomplish, to
obtain; to defend one's
self; to help, to hasten,
to plead for another : n.,
diligence
Magao and magaw5, tr, v.,
to peel, to pare, to husk,
take off the skin ; n,, peel,
rind
MagSrta, tr, v., to encircle,
to surround, to enclose,
as with a fence
Magawola, n,, defence
Magba,*<r. v,, to restrain, to
hinder,to forcibly pre vent,
I nya magba a hindf ji
ma
Magba, n, and adj,, strong,
resolute; slain with difn-
culty
Magbate, tr, v,, to dress, to
adorn, to adjust, to ar-
range, to apologize
MagbatSngo, to be enriched
Mfigbe, tr. v., to drive from.
Mb^ magbe
MagbelS, intr. v,, to tremble
to quiver, to shake with
fear, to hurry
Magbenda, tr. v., to pluck
from, as fruits from the
tree
Magb§nde, n,, current run-
ning swiftly
Magbl, tr, v., to withhold,
to shut up by occupancy
or hale
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77
Magbia, tr, v., to strip one,
to take off, to undress, to
pluck as feathers ; to root
up, to object to. I nya
layle magbia
Magbi'ndi, tr, v., to darken
upon, to obscure, to
cloud
Magbiti, w. and adj., beard
of grain; grassy, hoary,
bearded
Magbo, tr. v., to clean rice
from the husk
Magbo-ba, n., half-cleaned
rice*
M&gbole, tr. v., to engulph,
to submerge. Njf i ngi
magbolea
Magb5 nb6, tr. v., to smooth
upon by dressing the
surface, to present well.
I mu yie magbonb5a,
smooth
Magbuka, adj., naked. Ngi
magbiikango
Magbiikpo, tr. v., to pass
near something one does
not wish to leap over ; to
pass quickly for fear of
something; to take a
circuitous road to avoid
coming into contact with
something
Magbiikpu, tr. v., to turn
aside to make room for
another; to stoop in
obeisance when passing
before a superior
Magbiikpule, tr. v., to brush
upon, to shake off
Mage, tr* v., to expose for
sale, to sell
Mage, t7\ v., to peddle, to
hawk, to go about exhi-
biting, to make a show
of something
Magele, tr, v., to disclose, to
make known as the cha-
racteristics of one
Magokowoi, n., threatening
Magola, plu. magQlesia, n.,
clothing
Magole, adj\, having a white
surface. Ngi gQwoIsia li
magglengo
Magole, * tr. v., to shame
children out of untidy
habits
Magombo, tr. v., to scrape
off, as fish scales; to
scrape through the cuti*
cle, as in cuttings for the
dead
Magomi, tr. v., to lick, to
lap, to wipe up with the
finger
Magona, tr. v., to deliver a
message, or a thing sent ;
to state the object of a
visit or journey, or the
success of a mission
Maggnye, v., to lessen, to
diminish ; adj., small,
thin, short
MagSto, tr. v., to roll up, to
fold up
Magii, n., scent, odour, of
animals or plants; used
of character. Ngi magui
i nenii nya h^kpf hH
Magude, tr. v., to secure
some one
MahS, n., bait
Maha, a<2y., dead upon
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78
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
useless, -undesirable, with-
out honour
Maha, ei, n,, king, chief,
leader; the largest nuts
in play. Mahei loma,
king's robes. Maha-yia
and maha-la, the king's
word = authority. Ma-
haya, n., kingship, chief
power
Mahaga, tr. v., to mow, to
cut closely, as grass; to
describe, to question. I
ngi mahaga a ngi nei.
Maha-lo, a freeman, citizen
Maha-l^mo, w., ambassador
Mahali = mabali, tr. v., to
dispute. Ti mahali hou.
They held a disputation,
dissension, conversation
Mahe, tr. v., to pray to
"hale," to pray to God
that good or evil may
happen to another
Mahele, n., seal
Maheu, tr, v. and adj., to
make equal, to be equal
to, an equal ; uniform in
value, size, or weight.
Maheungo I le
Mahiha, ei, n.,' mourning.
Mu hlnSa mahibei wenga
Mahlni kiigba wa? Great
royal conamander ?
Maho, tr. v., to engage in ;
to select, to fix upon, to
choose. Mahou-hinda, n.,
election
Maho, tr, v,y to throw upon,
to plaster
Mahou, tr. v., to choose, to
receive, to retain
Mabon, it is fit, it is proper,
becoming, suitable
Mahoula, tr. v., to strain
out, to filter
Mahoungo, to be fit, be-
coming, proper, lawful,
decent. Mahoungo mu li
Mahu, comp. post position,
above, on, upon, over, to.
Li ngi mahu
Mahii, w., top. Imahui, the
one on the top. Imahui
i hiti mbui, from the top
to the bottom. Imahiige,
the upi^er one. Mahui
magbundQ hii, north-west
Mahu-gbele and mahugbe,
tr. v., to watch over, to
superintend, to supervise,
to protect, to care for, to
take heed, beware, to
guard against, to avoid
Mahugbe-mo and mahu-mo.
Ti nya wea a hilopof sia gbi
ti mahu-mo
Mabu-mo-ya, n., one that
holds the position of com-
mander-in-chief, the fii-st
oflice in the state. Sg-
hani mahu-mo, w., stew-
ard
Mahuna, »., state, condition
Mahuya, n., chief command,
authority. Mahu-ye, of
the house
Mai-mo, plu. maibSla, a
person bereaved by deatli.
Niiraui na ngi niirnn a
ha, ta lo ta lolia hinda
mai mo
Maini, to be minded, de-
sirous
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
79
Mai we, to mouni. Hinda
mai, n., sorrow
Majagbe, w., complaint, ac-
cusation. I mu majagbe
vea
Majknga, r?., spirits sup-
posed to appear as boys
and men
Majeli, tr, v., to witness be-
tween
Majende, tr. v., to strain, to
filter, to drain from
Majia, v., to sell, to sur-
render, to betray for a
reward, to give one's self
up or to die for the sal-
vation of others
Majiala, verb, w., selling, be-
traying. Majiango, to be
sold, betrayed
Majo, «., head-woman of
the Sande
Majggbe, tr. v., to examine
carefully by looking, to
observe, to watch closely
Majongba, tr. v., to pick
upon. Tei a fakali majo-
ngba
Majoyo and roajoso, tr. v.,
to half chew, as rumi-
nating animals
Majii, ??., a kind of dance
Make, tr. v., to feed, to raise,
to bring up, to nurse, to
instruct. Makema, the
place to feed at
Make-15, an adopted child,
supported by those not
his parents
Make-l9 hind^i artd makeya,
v., the adoption of a child.
Ngi wu makenga a nyi-
niya, I have fed you with
milk
Make nwoni, n., a tame bird
Makondo, n., a species of
cat-fish
Ma^pa, n., a kind of benne
seed
MsikpieL,refl,v, Ingimakpia,
he undressed himself
Makpo, tr, v., to mix, to
mingle, to compound, to
place together, to partake.
Makpongo, to have in
common
Makiili wa, n., giant
Mala, tr. v., to lay upon, to
add to, to exaggerate.
I njiei malaa, balance, re-
mainder due; to cover
over, as a house with
grass
Mala-mala wa, with great
pomp
Malala, tr. v., to draw out,
to stretch, to attract
Malama and mSdama, adj.,
prodigal, wasting fool-
ishly
Malamango, plu. malama-
ngolsia, foolish ones
MalambS and mSdambo,
tr. v., to stretch out, as
the limbs
Malg, w., an animal of the
hippopotamus kind
Male, tr. v., to meet, to over-
take ; to discover, to find,
to happen to, to befall;
to wait for. Nd6mai,
male kulo IS, Master, meet
me a little, have patience ;
fall in with
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80
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Male, tr, v,, to raise upon,
to increase the price
Male, tr. v., to cover
Malehewe-higbe, r?., a kind
of leprosy that disjoints
. the fingers and toes
Malewe, tr, v,, to cut off, to
curtail
Maie-yafa, «., an object of
ancient worship dis-
covered, as a brass ring
or stone image
Mali, tr, v., to oil, to anoint.
Mali wiilo, anointing oil
Mali and mali hou, tr, v.,
to reason, to dispute; n.,
dispute, discussion. Mall
hou, argue in favour of.
Be i mall nya va
Malo, n., the destructive
power of witchcraft. I
ma1$ wuanga ngima
Maloli wea, to call for. I
hemu maloli wfa, He
called for a light. Malo-
lisia, w., pleasures
Maloma-mo,n., hater. Malo-
manyQ, n., friend
Malowo, n., message
Mal6ndo, n,, meekness
Malii, tr, v,, to clear the
ground of grass, bushes
set
Malua, w., also maluwa, v.,
fear ; something inspiring
awe, reverence, respect
Malulu, tr, v., to smoke
upon, to charm by burn-
ing "hale" beneath a
warrior or his dress
Maluwango wa,to be greatly
overawed, afraid
Maliive, intr, v., to change
in form, colour, or ap-
pearance; to transform,
as insects: tr, v„ to ex-
change. I maliivea
Maliiyema, n,, with navp,
n., bank, place where
money is changed
Maliive-mo, changer, ex-
changer
Maliivengo, to become dif-
ferent, diverse
Maliiwa, tr, v,, to exagge-
rate, to brag, to make
fearful ; fearful
Maluwa-hani, n., a fearful
sight or spectacle
Mama, adj,, stupid
Mama, n., an elderly per-
son of either sex; a
woman; an expression
of respect: plu. ma-
manga
Mama-da, n., a very old
person, a grandparent of
either sex
Mama, plu. mamani, n.,
grandmother
Mamage, adv,, foolishly
Mamakpa, n., stilts
Mamamau, n., pity; adj\,
pitiful, merciful; to be
sorrowful, in a sad con-
dition, pitiable
Mamamaula, verb, n., sor-
rowfulness, pitiableness
Mamani, a/fj,, proud
Mamanmgo, to be proud, to
be admired
Mamanu, adj,, sad, sorrow-
ful, distressing, melan-
choly. Ngi hlnd^ na
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABY.
81
mamann d5a, gbamaile
ndo gbl nyeya
Mam§,ya, adj', fretful, teas-
ing, unripe
Mame, tr. v,, to nibble, to
gnaw
Mamenye, intr.v., ripening,
used of fruits that change
colour
Mami and mamima, w.,
something solemn
Mami-ha, v., death in an
unusual form, by drown-
ing, etc.
Mamini, adj., heavy, sub-
stantial, applied to men ;
safe, applied to things
they fear to take. Hake
ji manlningo
Mami nima-hinda, n., a
sorrowful event, a pitiful
case
Mamo, tr, v., to singe, to
burn; intensive form of
mo, to burn altogether
Mamo, w., owner. Hani ji
i mamoi lo a ye le ?
Mamo, n., one who is a
member of some place or
institute, as the Poro
Mamu, adj,, thoughtless,
stupid, foolish. Mamu-
bSla, foolish persons.
Ndopoi ngi mamungo, to
be ignorant. Mii ma-
mungo 1 le, We are not
ignorant. Mamu hii, in
ignorance. Mamui ji
ikpeleisia. The times of
this ignorance
Mamu, tr, v., to put to
shame, to coufound one
Mamu-vo, n., mangrove fly
Mana, n., plaintain
Mana-ga, w., plaintain skin ;
spotted skin . disease,
supposed to be caused
by mana-ga-hale
Manamu, adj\, slippery,
slimy
Manamu-nye, n., any scale-
less fish
Mana- Willi, n., plaintain
tree
Manda, adv., tightly. Ngili
manda
Mande, w., benni seed. Tu-
hani mia kalei ye miimu
kina dehena, ke ikolei
golingo ke neingo me va
Mandima, w., the favourite
wife or friend
Mando, w., the earth as the
favourite wife of God,
and universal mother
Mane and maneni, tr.
v., to sweeten, to make
pleasant ; adj., sweet,
acceptable, harmonious.
Ngo manengo
Mane = yane, tr. v., to
watch; a' so manewe, to
keep watch, to guard,
to spy, to aim
Manee, adj., smooth, po-
lished
Maneku, n., a kind of large
cricket
Mane-mo, n., keeper, guard,
watchman
Manena, n., exhortation,
entreaty
Manene, tr, v., to plead with,
to ask forgiveness; to
o
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
soothe by favour shown ;
to comfort; to entreat
Mang&te, tr. v., to set a
trap at or upon something
Mange, n., canoe, boat
Mangi, propelled by oars.
Mangi lende
Mango, to be profitable. Yla
mango I le, unprofitable
speech.
Mangombu, pro. n., lit.
on fire: applied to man
with red hair
ManI, w., palm leaf fibre;
trap. Manii yate. Ma-
ninga hou a manl. ManI
wlli, to lay snares
Maui, tr, v., to want, to
need, to desire, to covet ;
n., necessity, want, to be
necessary to. Ba mani
bi heinyoi ngi welei mo.
Ti hani maningo ye le.
Maui nyamu, evil desire,
lascivious. Ba mani nya-
nde ma. Nasia mbao
mSni i ye ti ma. Gba-
maile noji mani lo Ndemoi
ma. Hani jlsia mani lo
wu ma
Manlkpo, tr, v., to rub, as in
washing the body or a
vessel
Maninga, w., in the plu.,
women
Manja, w., a very large rice
farm
Manja, v., to deceive by
putting off. Wa nya ma-
nja If ke
M&nQ, tr. v., to soil, to
dirty. Maningo^ to be
dirty, dusty, unclean.
Mano-hani, unclean thing
Manonl, n,, the custom of
taking cuttings from the
nails and hair of a slave
to Njaye, so that if he
runs away Kjaye may
catch and kill him
Manowo, adj.^ dirty, dusty,
foul. Ngafa manowo-
ngou, unclean spirits
Manii, n., sorrow, pity.
Nya ma manungo le
Manu, tr. v., to forgive, to
let go, to have or show
compassion or mercy.
Manu nya ma ji hti. For-
give me this time. Nge
manu bi ma. Manungo,
to be rude, foolish
Manula, verb, n., forgiving,
yielding, forgiveness
Manuma, n., pity, compas-
sion, forgiveness ; and
manuma-binda. Ta jo!o
manuma-hinda
Manumango, to be merciful
Manwona, v., to act openly
Manya, adj., vain, proud of
display
Manyale, n., cat
Manyapo, n., my wife ; an
expression) of affection,
endearment
Manyimi, n,, uncleanuess;
adj'.y dirty, filthy, foul,
unmerciful
Manyimingo le, what is
bruised
Manyo, tr. v., to beat off
the husk from rice, to
half clean
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
83
Maro, tr. v., to lighten
Masa-boma, adv., freely,
without any return. I
fea masa-boma
Mata, adj., vain, fond of
display. Ndakpao ngi
ma tango
Mata, tr. v., to thank and
praise flatteringly in sing-
ing. I nya la mataa
Matakon, n., a kind of long
sword
Matindi, w., blue baft
Matinga, n., curdled milk,
batter
Mato, tr. v., to add to, to
increase, to augment, to
make greater in quantity,
to be added to
Mauro, tr, v., to wait for, to
attend to
Maval§, tr. v., to plead for,
to take as counselled by
a superior, to make inter-
cession
Ma vale, w., uproar
Ma vale-mo, one who inter-
cedes, pleads the cause
of another ; advocate
Mave, tr. v., to fan ; to win-
now. Ti ngi mave, They
wound him
Mavo, n., glory
Mavongo ye le, to be or to
have been glorified
Mavonya, tr. v., to squeeze
out by pressure
Mavovi, n., alteration
Maviila, tr. v., to hasten, to
accelerate, to hurry; to
sicken
Mayula, n., sickness^ illness
Maviila-mo, n., a sick per-
son
Maviilo, tr. v., to loosen
upon ; to assist in partu-
rition
Mawa, tr. v., to reward for
singing in one's praise ; n.,
reward
Mawa,7i., amature palm tree
Mawai, n., reasoning
Ma wall, tr. v., to deny;
conversation. Mawali
hou, to avenge. Nya
mawali yianyoi yeya.
Avenge me of my adver-
sary
Mawango, to be clean, to
be washed
Mawe and mawele, n:,
household ; also building
Mawe and mawele, tr. v.,
to stoop over, to cover,
to conceal. Hinde mawe-
le ngi peni, to bow
down, to be subject to,
to endure. A hindesia
gbi mawe. Mawengo*, to
be covered over; to
prostrate one's self; to be
subject to
Mawele-bu-mo, n., house-
holder; plu. mawele-bu-
bela, those who are in the
house i= inhabitants, in-
mates
Mawelei bu, adv., in this
way or manner
Mawo, tr. v., to redeem
Mawgko, tr. v., to threaten
injury, and wait. for an
opportunity to inflict it
Mawol^mo^ n., shearer
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84
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
MawQnde, tr, v., to call
attention by a touch
Mawovi, tr. v., to change.
Mah§i la-yiei e mawovi
Mawoya and ngu mawSya,
n., redemption
Mawiilo, tr. v., to wait for,
to wait watching
Mayafa, tr, v., to report
the faults of another, to
slander, to backbite
Mayafe, tr, v., to fan upon,
to winnow, as rice
May all, w., the quill of a
porcupine
Mayange, intr. v., to itch
Maye, tr, v,, to lower, to
lesson, to stoop; to
humble one's self; to make
low. Nya le mayenjijo.
Bi mayengo a yele hiia-
ngesia gbi bu
Mayeila, verb, n., diminish-
ing
Miiyeingo, to be base, low,
humble, 'vile
Mayela, tr, v., to brush oflF,
to wipe upon. Mese ma-
yela, to purge, to cleanse,
to sweep
Mayi, as, a tonya go ma-
yi, By the armour of
righteousness
Mayia, n., accusation. A
ngi mayiage a nge
May la g§, to show' cause,
to sue
Maylli, to bind upon, to
dreps, to clothe. I ngi
maylli
Mayili haka, »., dress,
clothes, ornaments; any
thing worn upon the
body
Mayilingo, to be clothed.
Ti mayilingo kina ko-
bSla. Ti ngi maylli ggle.
They divided his gar-
ments
Mayftia, adv,, in the midst
of the hall
Mba or mbai, plu. mbaa,
mba = mbanga, mbage-
sia, n., friend, companion,
fellow, of the same sex,
another
Mba, n.y a response of
acceptance and thank-
fulness
Mba, plu. mbaesia, n., chick
Mba = ba, def. st. mbei, w.,
jaw. Nikei a ngi ba hu
nyiimo, the cow moves
the jaw = is ruminating.
Mba hfi nyumu-mo, «.,
ruminator, chewer
Mba, n,, top ; prep,, on,
upon. Pe wu-mba, n.,
house-top
Mba be, n., the harvest.
The rice is dry = ripe.
See Mb^
Mba, bei, and mbei, n., rice
uncooked. Mba neingo,
rice is sweet. Nya mba
neingo me va. Mba-bele,
rice dropped while eat-
ing. Mba-gei (ka = ga,
hence gei), n,, chaff of
rice
Mba l^ilopo, n., fellow-
servant. Mba is some-
times used like the recip-
rocal pronoun^ exactly
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
85
like the Hebrew pT and
E^'N ; as, kolu yf la be e lo
heini ngi mba mahu. One
stone sliall not be left
upon his friend = upon
another
Mba-ga, w., the stalk of rice
Mbagba, plu. mbagbalsia,
n., billhook, bill
Mba-hlnda, n., companion-
ship, fellowship
Mba-jla-mo, w., fellow-tra-
veller
Mbaka, n., a musical in-
strument, music
Mbaka, n,, palm bird
Mbala, plu. mbalonga,
sheep
Mbala ha, plu. helsia, ewe
Mbala hina, plu. hinesia,
ram
Mbala-lo,plu. lengf sia, lamb
Mbala-voli, n., sheep's mane
Mbale, w., hoop to climb
palm trees
Mball, tr. i;., to vomit ; n.,
matter ejected
Mbalu, n., cane rope
Mbao, tr, v., to save, to
deliver, to heal. I ngi
bao nje hii
Mbao-ga, w., the scab from
a healed sore, hence of
no value, nothing. I hl-
jei lo nga a baoga
Mbko-hlnda, n., salvation,
deliverance. Mba6-yia,
message of salvation.
I mbao lowo dea. He has
raised up a horn of salva-
tion
Mbare^ n,, companion
Mbava, n., a cock bird's
spur
Mba-vali-mo, n., sower
Mbawa, n,, soap
Mbawa = mba, adj., great,
large. I mbawai le sa-
wesia lla, the great one
= the greatest
Mba wa, w., elder son ; high
in rank, imbawai. Mba-
ngo hou, to make friends
Mbawa-viile, «., soap-bubble
Mbawo-mo, w., saviour,
deliverer. Mb§5-rao
Mba-wii, w,, head'of corn,
i.e. ear of corn
Mbaya, w., fellowship
Mbe, ^ron., own. Bi mbf
mla
Mbe, tr. v., to dry; adj.,
dried, dry. Kowui mbf-
ngo
Mbe, pron., to me, for me
Mbe, tr. v., to fit, to suit
the object for which it is
made
Mbf, lit my place, and
ohj. pron., like a nge, me,
to me. Wa mbe a'nav9
tenga. Come to me with
= bring me some money.
Gbe lo wa ^ mbe? What
will you give me ? Ngi
li mbe, I go hence. Mbe
= nya we
Mbei, mbeindo, adv. and
adj., here, this place, this
here; mb§ yaka. Mbe-
gbele. Ke mbei gb^lei-
ji. but now at this time.
Mbei lo ba wa nyapo we-
k6i*
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86
MBNDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Mbego, t7\ v., to honour
Mb|ke, n,, branch, limb,
arm
Mbela, n., title of address
used by the husband to
his wife's brother; also
by the wife to her hus-
band's father and grand-
father
Mbela, tr, v., to split, to saw
apart, to tear, to divide,
to share; Mr, v.> to
burst
Lfbela-bolo, w., a cap with
long pendent sides
Mbela-biilu, w., war-trum-
pet of wood
Mbele, w., initiation foe of
a* girl to Sande, paid to
the Majo
Mbele, tr, v., to carry from
place to place, to convey
to a place
Mbele, w., a hard wood tree
Mbele, w., respect, esteem,
honour. Mbele lo ngi ma
Mbele, tr. v., to observe, to
notice
Mbele-hou, tr, v., to honour,
to show respect; adv.,
honourable
Mbele-lukpe, n., A mos-
quito-like insect with
long legs, named from its
swinging motion
Mbelema, n., rent
Mbele-mbfle, adv., quickly
Mbele nyani, to impeach
one's honour
. Mbele-nyani, tr. v., to dis-
honour, to disgrace; adj.,
dishonourable
Mbeleya, n., honourable
state or condition
Mbell, tr. v., to gain skill,
to become expert; adj\,
skilful
Mbell, tr. v., to drain off, to
diminish, to evaporate
Mbembe, n., whirlpool
Mb|mbe, tr. v., to bear
about, to swing around,
to wind, to turn
Mbemb§, tr. v., to surround,
to wrap up, to gird, to
throw around ; also Mbe-
mbele
Mbembf, n., some kind of
fishing-net, used by fe-
males
Mbembf, n., a leaf often
hung* at the door where
death has taken place,
to prevent the spirit en-
tering
Mbenda, n., a small animal
of the deer kind
Mbenga, n., burning
Mbenje-benje, n., delay,
dilatoriness
Mbera, son-in-law
Mbete, v., scaffold, raised
platform
Mbete, tr. v., to elevate, to
praise, to bless with good
words
Mbete-jonga,w.,an elevated
watch-house against the
war-fence for shooters;
called also kolo
Mbie vembe, to give the
name
Mbije, n., name; tr. v., to
praise falsely
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87
MbijS, adj,, cunning, dis-
cerning
Mbill, 7J., drum. MblU w$-
ngo, sound of a drum
Mblli-yell-mo, n., drummer
Mbimbili, «., mound, hil-
lock
Mbg, w., a kind of worm
Mb8, n., a kind of wild yam
Mbo, tr. v., to shoot, to
sting. I nwgni boa. I
mbolibo
Mbo, mboi, w., friend, com-
panion. Used by females
only. Wa mbo li ke angfi,
Come, show thyself my
friend
Mbo, tr, and Mr. v., to
leak ; to dig, to bore, to
mortise, to penetrate.
Mu kpindi boi lo, to
build. I nwoni boa. I
ngoli bo
Mbo, adj,, leaky, wet
through, having holes
Mbo, adv., as, ke mbo, but
in fact, truly, certainly
Mb9gba, n., large bill*
hooked knife, cutlass
Mbogbangu ?
Mbogbeni, n., a girl being
initiated into Sande
Mbo-hlnda, n., salvation
Mboia, n., some kind of fish
Mb51a, tr, v., to wrest from
Mbola, adj., another
Mbola, verb, n,, digging
Mbola, n,, mug, cup
Mbole, 71., palm cabbage
Mbole, w., yam
Mbole, tr, v., to blind ; intr,
♦ Vocabulary of the M?nde
v., to become blind ; adj.,
blind ; and n., blindness.
Mbole 3 bawo. Blindness
cannot be cured. Ngl
boleni
Mb$l|, adj,, rude, wild, un-
tamed, savage
Mb9le-gbanjo, w., a lively,
rude, wild person
Mbolf-mo, a blind person.
Mbole-moi a p$l$i ge
lo?
Mb9ll, n., a wooden hour-
glass-shaped seat
" Mboli, n., vulva, large and
coarse. Used in abusive-
language " *
Mbolp, w., a wooden mush-
room-shaped seat
Mbolo, n., neck, throat.
MbOlo hu, in the throat
Mbglo, n., a worm that
often bites those that
sleep on the ground
Mbolo-gale, w., neck-bone
Mb51o-genye, w., creases
upon the neck
Mb5lo-gQto, n.y gullet, tra-
chea, windpipe.
Mboma, n., a wound from a
gunshot or sting
Mboma, n., hammock, net,
fishing-net
Mbombo, n., some kind of
fish
Mbomboli, n., a kind of
black' stinking ant
Mbomo, one who digs,
builds, etc. ; one that is
wounded
Mb$nda, w., kind, sort,
language. Gk>od Hope, 1874.
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family, tribe, generation,
nation, relationship
MbOnga and niboanga, v.,
to sprain. Ngi lokoi i
bonga
Mbono, tr. v., to spend all
for one object, extrava-
gant
Mbgwa, n., a person or
thing of unnsual size
Mbowa, tr, v., to bruise
Mbowa, ei, and oi, plu. mbo-
wani, n., knife. Mb^wei
ya hango, The edge of the
knife is blunt. Mbowei
ya ndlngo. The edge of
the knife is sharp
Mb5wo, n., snare, noose,
trap
Mboya, n., soap
Mb5ya-hani, w., gift, pre-
sent; to ask for with a
gift. I nyahei ji b9yaa
Mbbya-mo, the person that
presents a present for a
wife
Mbii, w., south. Mbiii ma
gbu ndo hii, south-west
Mbu, tr. v., to bear
Mbii, def. st. mbiii, plu.
mbua mbunga, mbiilsia,
n., owl
Mbu, n., bottom ; post posi-
tion, under, in. Pe na ti
mbu. The house they are
in. Ti wa mbu. They
come in
Mbu gbatengo, inside fur-
nished
Mbuha, adj., impotent
Mbu-ha-mo, plu. mbUhar
b^la, mbiihabelesia, n,,
eunuch. Hind^ mla ta
ngi yova kalesia gbla.
Adj., impotent
Mbii-h5u, to take up, as a
song"
Mbui-f§fe, n., south wind
Mbiikpia', w., a small drum
Mbulo, n., tap root, penis
Mbiimbu, n,, fish-trap of
basketwork
Mbiimbu, tr. v., to take up,
lift up ; to choose, to fill up
Mbiindo and Mbunda, n.,
camwood
Me, pren., 1 per. plu., neg.,
we can or will not
Me, pran., 1 pers. plu., we ;
me, we say = that
Me, tr, v., to eat, to doYOur,
to squander, to appro-
priate unlawfully. Nga
me lo. I nav^i mea. Ngi
ya bi mehe me va, to
overreach, to defraud.
Gbe va lo we liuna ti wu
me?
Me and mee, that, i.e, we
say, saying. Mu ndea
wu ma ma (mee). Ngewo
hemu vo le
Megi, plu. meglsia, n., an
American
Mehani, w., thing to eat,
food. Frequently con-
tracted into mehe. Ngi
mehani kondonga ye le
Mehe, n,, food
Meheli-mo, «., a greedy
eater ; a parasite, a
hanger-on
Mehe - y Hi - mo, a person
cooking food, cook
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89
Meji, n., needle
Mela, verb, w., feeding
Mell, tr. v., to feed, to graze ;
to peck, to glut
Melima, n,, feeding-place,
stall, stable, pasture
Mem a, exclamation — see !
take notice !
Membu, w., small bird with
red head and neck
Meme, n., looking-glass,
mirror
Mende, n., the country and
people
Mende mo, n., a native of
Mende
Mende-nyo, n,, a kind of
grain
Mende-yia, n., the Mende
language
Mene, aclj,, without handle.
Konu mene
Meni, tr, v., to hear, to
Jisten to, to obey, to smell.
Ngi ndahani gui menia.
Na mu menia, That which
we have heard
Meni, with ma, to mind, to
take care of
Menila, verb, n., hearing,
obeying, smelling
Menye, n., arrow. Menye
ta, lit. arrow's town =
quiver ; barb, as upon a
Kano spear or arrow
Mesa and mese, n,, table
Mete, adv,, easily, without
effort
Meti, three together. A
mu te go a meti
MI, interrog. adv, of place,
where ? Bi ke lo mi ? [or
a bi kei ? Bi wiii lo mi ?
or a bi wiii? Bia lomi?
Mllobalina? It has also
the meaning of " when,"
as an adv. of time ; as, mi
gbe lo mu bi doni ndole
bi *ma ? when = at what
time ? when, since when,
how long since ?
Mia and mlando, adv, of
place, there, yonder,
thence. Mia lo, there it
is. Nglyema wa gbia mia.
Mia be, there also
Mia, defect, v. to be; as,
tonga mia, it is true. Ta-
mo yela mia wo. Ta mia,
it is, that is, so it is
Mla-mia, adj., dazzled ; n.,
lightning. Ngele a nje
miamia
Miando, adv., that place;
there, yonder ; correl.,
bimdo-miando, here . . .
there
Mlava, adv,, therefore, for
that reason. Miaya nge
na we
Mi ghe^adv., when ? Migbe
lo wa wa ? Mi gbe lo
ngiilu-w^isia ta gbou.
When will the fruit be
ripe?
Migbele, i.q, migbe
Miji = meji, n., needle. Mu
kiila ho lo a miji
Miji-pele, n,, the eye of a
needle
Mindi, tr, v., to despise, to
wink as in contempt
Mini, «., bead, weight :
heavy; girdle of beads.
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2IENDE-EN0LISH VOGABULART.
Mini, pin. mlnia, def. st.
mlDlsia, heavy. Haka
mini
Mlnljangla, n., string of
beads
Minlngo, to be heavy. Ml-
nlngo wa le gbon. Ti ll i
minlngo, Their heart is
hardened. Ngi li mlne-
ngo yele kpi
Mita, n., spoon
Miva, adv., wherefore. Mlva
lo bi ji weni ?
Miyaka, adv., which side,
where about
Mo, n., a kind of ant's nest
built in trees
Mo, tr, v.y to bum, to roast,
to broil, to smart, burn.
I moa, it is burned. Mu
mongo me
Mo, def. St. moi, plu. b61&,
belelsia, n., person.
Chiefly used as a personal
suflBx, forming nouns of
verbs denoting personal
agents ; as, ka, to teach ;
ka-mo, teacher, plu. ka-
b61a. To poma-mo, fol-
lower ; plu. woma belfsia
Mo and mho, indf^f, relat,
pron.y what? Mbo peni
hiiangelsia gbi ti vS^ya
ndogbOi hu ?
Mq, w., frankincense
Moje, adv,, slowly, unener-
getically. A jia mgje
Mola and Molo, w., bushel,
measure of capacity. Ti
molei lavf
Mola, verb, w., burning. Ta
mola binda nyamu mla
Mgle, w., burning, itching,
itching leaf
Moli, tr, v., to ask, to
inquire, to interrogate,
to investigate ; to require
restitution. Nyalowama
bi molima
Moli, def st.mgll, plu. molia,
w., question
MqIo, adv., slowly, without
much effort. Nje i waa
molo-molo
Mo-mo, w., one who bums
something; a tumour that
appears upon the head
Mona, ei, plu. monea, moiie-
Isia, *n., troubles, trials.
Monei wglongo, great
troubles
Monde, n., moisture
Monden, adv., lightly, se-
cretly. A jia monden
Mondo, to close the' hand
tightly ; to give a handful
of food. Nya mgndo a
mehe
Mondo-bolo, n., a kind of
ribbed cap
Mone, ir. v., to trouble, to
toil, to punish, to suffer,
to harass, to vex. Gba-
maile ngi mon^nga gb9toa
ngi va
Monengo gbon, to be
severely troubled
Mongo, roasted
Mgni, n., an animal of the
cat kind whose skin is
held sacred by those con-
nected with Himo
Monjo, n., a plant used for
greens
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91
Monu, w., remainder. I
rnoniii ve
Mgro, n,, a Mahommedan ;
also their pretended
power with God te control
the elements of nature
and the lives and fortunes
of men
More-mo, n., Mahommedan
Mote, adv., completely. Bi
Bi ll i leli mgte
Motu, adj., a burned farm ;
field cleared by burning
Mgyo, n., a medical com-
pound of black pepper
and clay
Mu, ^ron., 1 per. plu., we
Mil, pron., 1 per. plu., neg.,
we not, not we
Mua, pron. 1 per. plu., we.
Mua ma li lo
Miia and miiai, n,, woman
Miia, intr, v,, to bathe
Miia-mua, n,, fear, conster-
nation. Muamiia i dea
a ngf . Muamiia lenga a
ngif
Mue, pron., objective, us
Mufi, ??., woollen cloth
Miile, miile-gQtu, n., soap
stone
Mumu, adj., dumb. Ngi
la miimiingo
Miimu, adj., small, little;
def. St. miimui, plu.
miimua, mumulsia
Miimull, n., lice that infest
domestic fowls
Miimu-mo, n,, a dumb
person
Munda, pron,, our own,
ours
Mu-viilr, pron., we our
selves
MuwQ, pron., our own
N
Na, plu. naa,=nS, def. st.
nasia, demons, pron., this,
these, that, those. There
being norelative pronoun,
it frequently stands for
" the one who, those
who," and "the same;"
as, folQi na, that day, or
foloi na ma, on the same
day
Na, adv., now. Ngi ya na
na yf na nya doni, I go
now to theOne(Him) that
sent Me
Na, adv., there, thence ; if,
and here, there. I ye na,
he is there ; wa li na, do
not go there = thither.
Sometimes it appears
pleonastic, as — gbamaile
hindoi gbi to pomei a
ye na, mla lo kQw|i8ia
ta yando na, lit. * for
wheresoever it is that the
carcass is there, there it
is the eagles shall gather
there
Nail, n., a mysterious sound
or sight, supposed to
warn of death ; sign,
mark, prodigy, proof
Nali, n., glue
Nalo, adv., there, then
Nalo, n., a short, broad knife
having a rounded point
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Namakoi^ to practice, to
study, to learn, to endea-
vour to know
Nami, adj., dirty; nami-
nami, very dirty
Namu, tr, v, and adj.^ to
slip in walking, to slide ;
to speak fluently; slip-
pery
Nana, «., a herb with
poisonous prickles
Nande, w., early oka
Nanga, intr. v., to crawl.
Kale nanga
Nanga, tr, v., to palsify, to
become incapable of
injuring
Nanga-hegbe, n., dropsy,
palsy
Nangango, to be taken with
palsy
Nani, num, adj., four. I na-
nigei and inanigelei,
ordinal num.y the fourth
Nani-gele, the fourth
Nano, n,\ the moon corre-
sponding with July
(Kitchel August). Ngi
kglo nyegi lo nga mbai
ye nano yalui ma folo pii
m'ahU nani foi ma pii
mahu woyakpa ke nii
sawa gboyongo mahu
wpyakpa
Nati, adv,, completely. Nje
i jia mahU nati
Navl, adj., flexible, elastic
Nav6, n., money, goods, any
article of value; posses-
sion
Navo maluvema, «., bank,
money exchange place _
Navo vema, n., the place
where* money is given or
received
Navola, n., money
Nai, adff.,^ expressing seve-
. rity. Ngamongo nai
Nama, n., blood
Nanya, w., sand
Nao, describes a taste not
. quite palatable
Naso, adv., intensive, very.
, Ndima bf ngo naso
Ngna, adj., bitter. No-
. nango, to be bitter
Nona-nona, tr. v., to cut
. out
Ngni, n., bird
Nonyo, adj., rough, chapped
Nd=l, nda=la=ya
Nda and ndawa, n., leaf.
Nda = la,def. st.ndai = lai;
plu. ndaa = laa, ndaisia =
laisia. Nda gbia, to put
forth leaves
Nda = la, ndei = lei, plu.
nda = la, nd elsia = leisia,
n., mouth, door, any kind
of opening; wprd, say-
ing, letter, wharf. A nda-
Ifwe. Ngi nya la woa,
I open my mouth; and
nya la wgo. My mouth is
open. Nda wongo. Nda
fefele-mo, two-mouthed
J Person, i.e. hypocrite
a,def.st.ndei, n., portion,
part. It is 'added to the
possessive pronoun by
way of emphasis and cor-
roboration; as, my own.
Nya nda li viill. My own
heart itself. I ngi ndf ivf^
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93
He gave him his own.
Nya nda lo a ji, This is my
own or proper portion
Nda = la, tr, v., to lay, to
place, to put, to enact,
ordain, appoint ; to make,
as a bed ; to set, arrange,
as a table
Ndabela, w., slowness of
speech
Ndabo and ndawabo, w., a
bird that builds its nest
by sewing together leaves
Ndabo wa, n., a bird's bill
Ndabru, w., lip
Ndabu, prep., before; pri-
vate parts
Ndadala, n., childish talk
Ndado=lado, to join to-
gether
Ndado-mo, n., one who joins
together
Ndagba, n., boldness in
• speech
Ndagbale, adj., beating with
the mouth, incessant or
J)ainful talk
agbia, tr. v., to play by
catching and drawing
each other over a line.
Ndagbia nyini ma, tr. v.,
to wean a child, pull its
mouth from the breast
Nda-gbole hinda, n., kiss
Ndagbolo and ndagboro,
, n, and adj., stuttering,
stammering. Njief ngi
la gborongo
Ndagbolu, n,, lid, cover,
stopper
Ndagboro-mo, n., a stam-
merer
Ndagbgtu, tr, v., to protrude
the lips, to pout
Ndage, tr. v., to mention, to
name
Ndagoli, n., a present of
food
Ndagiilu, n., lip
Ndaha, n, and adj., meat-
hungry, desiring to eat
animal food
Ndaha-mo, n., one that has
an excessive desire for
animal food = sweet-
mouthed person
Ndahani, n., meat, any
kind of flesh used as
food
Ndaha- Willi, n., fig tree, and
its fruit
Ndahfi, tr. v., to instruct,
to acquaint, to explain, to
name for
Ndahi =lahi, tr. v., to cau-
tion, to warn, to advise,
to counsel
Ndablla, n,, admonition,
caution, counsel, warning,
commanding, ordering
Ndahugoli, tr. v., to repay
good with evil. A nya
lahugoli
Ndajondo, tr. v., to gather
together the mouth so
as to close it, as of a
sack
Ndakanya, adj\, large and
tall. Used o^ persons and
things
Ndakpa, intr. v., to grow
up to manhood, to ma-
ture, matured. Kina
ndopoi ngi lakango yele,
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When the boy was grown
up
Ndakpa, n.,fellow,an equal.
Used by males only;
females use the word
mbai, companion, friend
Ndakpalo and ndakpao,
w., a young man; plu.
ndakpalplsia. Nyapo, n.,
young woman. Nyapoi
i ndakpaloisia huwoya
ngi llmei id
Ndakpalo 'dagbe,n., a young
man that has not yet got
a beard
Ndakpaya, n., state of matu-
rity
Ndala and nda, tr. v., to
pull, to draw, to drag.
A mu ndendei la, verb,
«., drawing
NdalO, tr, v., to join, to
unite together, to accom-
pany. Mu li, bi nya
lalo
"^dal§, adj\, joined to;
respecting, concerning,
according, about, on ac-
' count of, in behalf of.
I njla leni ndalongo kare
ma. Ndalongo ndi we*
mei ma
Ndaiii, n., a kind of sore in
the mouth
Ndama, n., place to lie
down, bed, bedroom
Ndamagbate, tr. v., to put
aside for safe keeping,
to keep, to preserve; to
make ready, to create
Ndamahtiyomba, n., mous-
tache
Ndamata, tr. v., to speak or
call quickly, to praise
Ndamba, n., crocodile or
alligator
Ndambu, w., foundation ;
the fit place to lay it
Ndamiimu, adj., dumb
Ndamiimu-mo, n., dumb
person
Naanda, t?., a tree
Ndandakiilo, n., a kind of
wild cat,* fox
Ndandakiilo-gona, n., a
flying report
Ndando and sllolando n.,
spider's web, fibres upon
the inner surface of a
plantain, skin
Ndane, tr. v., to indulge, to
gratify, to coax with food,
to cherish ; indulged
Ndane, tr. v., to misrepresent
wickedly, to slander
Nda-ngiilo, n., nut oil.
Nda-ngulo i yia, the
nut oil is asleep, i.e. con-
gealed
Ndanye, n., cutlass-fish
Ndao = ndawo, la ndao mu
we, open the door for us
Ndaoko, tr. v., to mark, to
imitate in contempt
Ndapi = lapi, tr, v^ to fight,
to struggle, to swim.
Ndapi we kumana, to
fight for* the mastery.
Ke iye ndapi hii
Ndapi-nyQ, w., associate in
fighting
Ndf,ta, n., tendon, vein.
Nama lata
Ndav§,<r. v.^tofillfull
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95
Ndave-hinda, w., fulness
Ndav|ng:o, to be full, brim-
ful/ KiQa ndaveai
Ndavula or ndavuli^ n,, a
sling for throwing stones
Ndawa, w., a species of
plum tree ; a vine used in
binding rice
Ndawele g6la n,, an Ameri-
can cloth two fathoms
long
Ndaw6, tr, v., to open, to
expose the transgressions
of others. Nyahf i ngi
lawoa
Ndaw5 = l5wo-hInda, n.,
great mouth matter, i.e,
boasting. Ndaw9gbama,
vainglory
Ndawo, n,, speaking im-
purely, indecently
Ndawoko or ndako, tr. v.,
to imitate in speech or
in song
Ndawiilo, tolu-wiilo, «., oil
from palm kernel
Ndawiindu-gali, n., a kind
of green snake
Ndaya, n,, saliva, spittle
Ndayla = layia, plu. layif-
sia, law, statute
Nd^ylll, n., a snare, noose,
trap
Nd = 1, nde = le, nde = le
Nde = le, nd§i '=lei; plu.
ndfa = Ifa, ndenga =
lenga, ndengesia, or nde-
ngelsia = lengesia or l|-
ng|isia; n., child, brother
or sister. Bi wa mu ndei
iha
Ndf , tr, V,, to tell, to say.
to speak, to condemn.
I ndenga mbale wai hii.
Frequently followed by
la, word, to tell a word.
Ye lo i ndeai bi ma?
Who was it that told it
thee?
Nde, n, and adj., a lie,
liar; addicted to lying.
Ngi lengo
Nde, tr. v., to beget, to bear,
to give birth to. I ndo
lea
NdfbSla, plu. ndebellsia, w.,
elder
Ndega, w., hair of the body
except the head
Ndeajbe, n., large cat-fish
Ndlgele, n., chronic ulcer
Nde-gola, tr. v., to tell a lie,
to lie. Ngi hinda wova
mia i nde-gola la
Nde-gola-mo, n., one that
tells lies
Nde-hinda, n., falsehood,
condemnation
Nde-hindo, plu. nde-hlndo-
Isia and nde hindo wa-
wai, elder brother
Nde-hlndo wiilo, plu. wiile-
isia, n., younger, i.e. little
brother
Nde-jondu wua, to swear
falsely •
Ndekpe, tr. v., to stand or
place in a successive man-
ner. Ndopolsia ti lekpe
hindeji. Nd'ekpe-ndekpe,
in succession, by turns,
alternately
Ndekpe, tr. v., to bend, to
wind, to incline, to lean to
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Ndekpu, intr. v., to limp, to
be lame^ adj., lame, weak-
ened
Ndela, verb, n., saying, tell-
ing. I tato ndela
Ndele, adj\, wet, black. See
Lele
Ndeli, tr, v., to wet, to cool,
to appease, to satisfy
Ndelingo, to be wet, to be
black
Ndelo, n., name of a con-
stellation
Ndema, n,, forgetfulness,
condemnation. Wa ndema
waijoma
Ndema = lema, w., remem-
brance
Ndema-mo, one that for-
gets
Ndlembi, n., delay, tarrying,
continuing. Ix)ngevity
Ndembima, r?., place of
tarrying, grave
Ndembu ndembu, w., valley
Nde-rao, r?., lord, proprietor
Nd|-mo = lemo ; pin. nde-
ndebala, ndebelelsia, also
ndemSa; father, parent,
denoting the natural
father; while ke means
master, lord, ruler, king
Ndf nde, tr, v., to disclose, to
gossip, to repeat rumours
concerning others
Ndende, n., ^anoe, boat.
Ndende hfi-mo, sailor,
passenger
Ndendekpe, w., the placing
of a broken thing so that
another in taking it shall
appear to break it, and
■^ so be chargeable with
fault
Ndendeli,n., shade, shadow.
Hei ndendeli bu
Ndende-mo, «., gossiper
Ndenga, plu. of nde, n.,
children, servants,' sub-
jects. Kena yela ndenga
fele ti ye ngi yeya, i
nd|nga ti ma
Nde-nyaha-lo, plu. loa and
15nora, sister. Per syncope
nya-nyaha
Ndf nya-l6 wa, elder, i.e.
great sister
Nde-nyalo wiilo, younger, t.c
little sister
Ndeyale, n., broom made of
rice straw
Ndeve, n., bat, a species of
small bat
Ndevu, n., life, rest. Nde-
vui ji mahinda, cares of
this life.
Ndevu-g5to and ndevu-
gotu, w., a sigh
Ndevuma, n., resting-place.
upper chamber
Ndevu-vefe, w., life, breath
Ndewe, n., the name of a
tree
Ndewe, tr. v., to flatten as
by beating ; to braid iu
flat braids
Ndewe, tr. v., to strike, to
flog* to beat, to pound.
Kolu l§we i ye tevetevo
Ndewe, nd|„ n., brother,
sister, cousin
Ndgw§-gbo, n., scar from
whipping
Ndfwf-gbOndo, n., wale.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
97
swelling caused by beat-
ing
Nd = 1, ndl = li
!Ndi = ii, w., heart. Com-
pare II above. The seat
of affection and hatred.
Hinga ti ll nyamiango le.
Bi li yekpengo le ?
Ndl and ndhi, w., house-
fly, cow-bird
Ndia, n., midst, middle,
centre ; prep., among = lla
hii, in the midst. A ngi
dewelo ndIa, He shall cut
him asunder
Ndia-mo, n., friend, lover of
either sex, but no relative
Ndidewe, n,, strife. Grene-
raliy iididewe-yia
Ndi-dewe = iewe, w., vexa-
tion, anger, indignation ;
adj,, angry, incensed, pas-
sionate, irritated. Hi-
ndoi na ndl dewengo le,
That man's heart is cut,
i.e. he is vexed, enraged,
in a state of fury or pas-
sion. Nyall a gbavo ndl-
d§we yiei va ngi ndeni
nya nyahei ma a kpo-
iko ji
Ndi-d ewe-mo, n., an angry,
passionate person
Nai-do or ndi-15, n. and adj.,
oourage, patience ; cour-
ageous. Ndl welemei,
hope. Ndi wotengo, to
repent ; repentance. I ye
ndi moiie wa hii, He was
in great trouble
Ndigba, tr. v., to press upon
from above, to squeeze
Ndigba = lipka, w., bow,
Kotu lipka, iron bow
Ndlgbale, w., pain in the
pericardiac region
Ndigbeka, n., lower point of
sternum
Ndigbini?
Ndihele, tr. v., to perplex, to
confound. Hindf ji ke i
nya lihelea, n., jeopardy,
danger, perplexity, sus-
pense. Nde helea hu, in
distress
Ndi-houla, n., long-suffer-
ing,* forbearance
Ndikpa, w., cross-bow ; pen-
cilled rays of light
Ndikpa-vali and ndikpa-
vai, arrow
Ndikpa-wili-mo, plu. ndi-
kpa-wIli-bSla, archer
Ndikpa-yeya, w., bow-string
JNdikpo, w., dispute
Ndlla, n., consolation, calm-
ness, contentment
Ndile, w., boa-constrictor
Ndilei, n., peace
Ndil|i-mo, n., one whose
heart is cool, meek, calm ;
patient, peaceful person
Ndlleli, n., peace, content-
ment. Ndileli hinda,
consolation, coolness of
heart
Ndileli, pleasing, acceptable
Ndi-leli va, tr. v., to appease,
to reconcile
Ndile we. See Ndi-dewe
Ndili, w., little fly
Ndilo,'n., patience. Ndllo
gboto hii, in much pa-
tience
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98
MENDE-ENGIJSH VOCABULAKT.
Ndima, r?., chest, bosom
(stomach)
Ndima, «., wrath, anger.
Ndima be, withont pity
or sympathy
Ndima-be, plu. llma-bele-
sia, (w/}*., unpityiiig, iin-
l^ind, unsympathizing.
Mahangesia ti Ilma-bele-
sia ti ye ndoloi hii
Ndima-gale, n., a cherished
feeling of hatred or pur-
pose of revenge
Ndima lenga, n., dear chil-
dren
Ndima-voni, w., an event
causing grief; adj,, grie-
vous
Ndima-wani, kindly dis-
posed, generous, free,
liberal
Ndima yamu, adj., chur-
lish, bad-tempered, ill-
disposed, disagreeable
Ndlmba, tr, v., to twist, to
spin, to twist by rolling.
Ta fande limba
Ndl-mini, ' n., heaviness,
heaviness of mind, sorrow
Ndimo, w., traveller ; greedy
Ndindl, w., a kind of small
white ant, and its nest
Ndingo, to be sharp. MbQ-
wei ya ndingo
Ndinyani-hlnda,a matterof
grief
Ndivale,w.,fly-brush,broom ;
a kind of mushroom
Ndivo, n., a boil
Ndl-viila, v., hasty, quick-
tempered. A ndi-viila
in a fit of passion
Ndi-wanda, n., kind dispo-
sition
Ndi-we, ndl-wgma, n., hope
Ndi-wo, n., a kind of grass
NdiwQio, n., discontent ;
adj.^ dissatisfied, grasp-
ing
Ndi yakpe, n., good-will
Ndiyamala, w., persuasion
Ndi yela, n., one heart, sin-
cerity
Nd = 1, ndo = lo
Ndo = 15, ndoi = loi ; plu.
ndenga = Ifnga, ndengei,
nd^ngeisia = lengesia
(some of the forms are
derived from nde = le, to
bear, give birth, beget) ;
n., child, either son or
daughter; pupil, servant,
subject, a dependant of
any relation; the young
of animals, birds, and rep-
tiles. Ndoi i wa ngi ke
ye. Ndoi ikele-mage or
ncloi ikuioi, the last, i.e,
the youngest. Ndo kulo,
little boy or child. Bi
ye bi loi loni ? Have
you leftyouJr country?
Hinda ndQi a pe, ngi ke
be a pe
Ndo = 16, tr. v., to leave, to
leave behind, to be-
queath, to commit. I ndo
fei hii, He left it in the
pot
Ndo, n., mm, fermented
sap from different specie
of the palm, fermented
or distilled liquor of any
kind
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99
Ndo, tr, v., to search out, to
find out by investigation
Ndo = lo, tr. v., to put,to place
Ndoa = ndowa, w., hole.
Ndoa jeyu, deep hole
NdoaMla = loahula, w., re-
conciliation
Ndo-boma, n,, a chisel used
in making incisions for
palm wine
Ndo-dagba, n., vinegar
Ndofo, n., a large black
lietle (perhaps rhinoce-
ros) ; an immoderate
drinker
Ndogba, adj,, hardened,
stiffened, alienated
Ndogba, n., frontal head-
ache. Ndogbe i nya bona
Ndg-gbatema, «., the place
where wine is made
Ndogbe, n., a fetish sup-
posed to inflict ndogba
Ndo-gbelingo hinda gegea,
earthquakes in divers
places
Ndogbo, w., woods, thicket,
bush. Ndogbo-hua, n.,
wild beasts
Ndogbo dowoisia, n,, husks
Ndogbo-hani, n,, leopard
Ndogbo-le, w., any wild
fowl that scratches for
food
Ndggb6le-mo, n., wine-
drinker
Ndogbo-lop9, w., one who is
initiatei into Pgro
Ndo-gelema, w., the end of
the world
Ndohou-hmda, n., drunken-
ness, intoxication
Ndohou-hii, to be over
powered by drink
Ndohil, n., dung; loss.
Ndohil jo, suffer loss
Ndohu, tr. v., to lose ; to be
lost, lost
Ndoine, w., a bird said to
cry, "Yemia?"
Ndoka, n., clearing the bush
preparatory to felling
trees; brushwood
Ndoke, intr. v., to settle, to
clarify; adj., clear. Bi
yatne lokengo
Ndoke,* n.j the rope used in
lowering palm wine
Ndoko, n., part, pillar ; plu.
ndokoa
Ndokolo and ndokulo, w.,
chameleon
Ndokpo, tr. v., to place in a
row, to make a long
speech
Ndoku, ructate
Ndoku-wiilu,n.,a tree whose
blossoms emit an offen-
sive odour
NdSla, plu. ndolanga, «.,
infant, babe. Nya lolai
lo wama
Ndola, n. and adj., growth,
increase; growing
Ndolawala hinda, n., in-
fanticide
Ndolaya, n., infancy
Ndole = lole, n., hunger,
need. Ndole nya hou.
Navo mani lole nya roa.
Also' ndoe
Ndole, tr. v., to thresh, to
shell, to unstring ; to ex-
tract^ as teeth
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100
UENDE-ENGLISH VOGABULABT.
NdSle, tr, v., to bear chil-
dren. Mn loi hii oyaha
ndolea na ta gohune lo
Ndole, n., trick, play. Also
ndoli
Ndole-mo, n., one that plays
tricks
Ndgle we, to clear the bush
KdoU, n!, fish-hook
Ndolinyo, n., playmate
Ndolo, also ndoe = ndgi =
Igi = loilo = ndolai,world,
country, kingdom ; earth,
ground
Ndolo = lolo, tr. v., to seek
for
Ndglo, tr. v., to hate
Ndolohu = lolQhu, tr. v., to
lose
Ndololi, n., inhabitant of
the land
Ndoma, n., love, charity,
affection
Ndoma, n., shirt, a loose
gown, upper garment
Ikpekpei
Ndoma, w., friend. Ndoma
hou, to hold together as
friends
Ndombu = lombu, intr. v.,
to dive, tto dip in or
under, to sink. Ma
ndombu nje hu, over-
throw, to sink, to fail to
support a cause; to dis-
regard counsel, to dis-
respect another, to with-
draw into concealment
Ndombu -mo, n., diver.
Ndombu hii, in the deep
Ndgme. n., ground, earth.
I I'dgm^ bo Busucgo^
He digs deep into the
ground
Ndomi, n., a plant
Ndgmo, plu. ndgbSla, n., the
owner of palm wine
Ndgmo = lomo = tgmo, n.,
messenger
Ndonde, plu. ndondea,
ndondenga,ndondeng§6ia;
def. St. formed from the
plural form, ndondc^ga:
n., swine, hog ; and ndo-
ndo. Ndondea lago va
Ndonde-diye, w., abstinence
from swine's flesh
Ndgndo, w., multipede,
fortifoot
Ndondo, tr. v., to trust with,
to sell to on credit. Nya
londo a ba yela
Ndondo, n., silence
Nd5ndo, n., an excrescence,
as a wart or tumour
Ndondo, n,,& dance in a line
when the Pgro yaf| visits
the town
Ndondo-ha, n., saw
Ndondo-hina, w., boar
Nd5nd5-hiia, w., swine's
flesh* pork
Ndondoko, n., a vine grow-
ing from a tuberous root
Ndondovo, intr. v., to
shrink as meat or fish
Ndond6-yia, n., whisper
Ndo-nyaha, n., daughter by
marriage
Ndopa, n., deer
Nd5p6, w., child, boy or girl;
one inferior in rank or
power
Ndopoi nyandfngo nygko
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101
gbi, a girl nncommonly
beautiful
Ndopoya, n., childhood
Ndosi, n., a long-handled,
deep net
Ndoso-loU, n,, a magical
play *
Ndo89-yeya, n., a black leaf-
less vine growing from
decayed wood
Ndgii, w., Hades, region of
the dead, supposed to be
in the int^ior of the
earth
Ndoiimo, »., one who has
departed this life
Nd6vo, n., toad
Ndovo, adj.^ unlucky, un-
successful; ill-success
Ndovo kpolea, w., poison of
asps
Ndowa, w., hole
Nd6wo, w., horn. Nikf i
ngi hijai lo a ngi lowoi.
Ndowo lo i ye namei
yeya
Ndo^
iowo, n., a yellow ant that
makes its nest in folded
leaves
Ndowo-hiia, »., a homed
animal
Ndowu and ndoii, tr, v., to
hide, to conceal, to secrete
Ndgwu-hinda, w., mystery,
secret
Ndowujuju, »., valley of
death
Ndowuma, »., hiding-place.
Ndowu-hu, in secret
NdQWungo, to be hid
Ndo-wiiru, n,, palm tree
Ndi = lii
Ndii and ndiie, n,, flesh
Ndiiahfl = liiahii, w., differ-
ence, variance. Ti liiahu
i lani, space between,
interval; relation between
Ndiiahu, prep., between.
Gbehei lo mu luahu. Bf
muluahugo? nyandewe
mia. I ndiiahu gglea 1515
wekesia ma
Ndiiahii bombo, w., the re-
mainder which is un-
divided
Ndua hugole voi, n., refer-
ring to purification after
childbirth
Nduahii-la, n., reconcilia-
tion
Ndiiahu-la-mo, n., mediator
Nduahii nyani, w., discord,
quarrel, variance, divi-
sions
Nduba, ndiibanga, adj.,
favoured
Nduediig and ndiiendue, n,,
heat, sensation of heat
Ndiiedii^ngo, it is warm or
hot
Ndiife, tr. and inir, v., to ex-
tinguish, to end, to wipe
out. Ti ngi liifea, to
quench, to put out ; to go
out, as a flre
Ndufu-lgi, w., palm wine
Nduhfi-ha, w., weakness
Ndiihu hango, to be or to
feel weak, weary. Hinda
houla, to be weak in faith
Nduine, n., a bird
Ndukpu, tr. v., to muddle,
to be muddy; muddy,
dirty, foul
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102
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY*
Ndula, tr. and intr, v., to de-
cay, to rot, to perish ; de-
cayed, rotten
Ndula-hinda, w., rottenness
Nduli, n. and v., smoke ; to
smoke; smoky
Nduli-kpuli, w., soot
Nduli- lende, n., steamsliip
Ndulu = wulu, w., tree
Ndulu, tr, V,, to steam ; n.,
steam
Ndulu, n., a bird with brown
neck and white breast,
that cries morning and
evening
Nduma, n., skin
Ndiima-molo?
Ndumbu, n., an earthem
pot with small mouth,
mug
Ndiiva = liiva, to continue,
to stay the whole of the
day
Ndiivu, n., ashes
Ndiivu, tr. v., to bum to
ashes, burned into ashes
Nduvu, w., a species of
palm tree, also the fibres
' of its leaf; or bamboo
tree
Ndiivu-gba, n., a forest of
nduvu trees
Nduvu-lo, w., fermented sap
of ndiivu, palm wine
Ndiiwa, n., fear, veneration ;
adj., fearful, afraid
Ndiiwa, adj., cooked soft,
tender from boiling. Ta-
nge ndiiwango f&kf
Nduwa-wo, w., description
of a person given for his
apprehension
Ndiiwe and ndowe, tr, v., to
clear away the under-
growth
Ndiiwo, n., slave
Nduwoya, n., slavery, ser-
vitude
Nduwu, n. and adj., flesh,
living body; fleshy. Ndii-
wu i dea ngi ma
Nduwu-mo, plu. nduwu-
bela, carnally minded
person
Ne, def. st. nei ; plu. nea,
def. St. nelsia ; n., tongue.
Ti ne fele hitia, They ex-
hibited* two tongues =
were double-tongued, dis-
sembled. Ne fele, n., dis-
similation
Ne and nei, n., pleasure;
tr. v., to please, to be
sweet, agreeable. I neni
lo Ngewo wo. Nya li a
gohu gie, ke nya yafei a
gShu ne. A ne lo *wu
ke we, It is the pleasure
of your father
Ne or nene, tr. v., to spy
out, to watch; to aim at,
to seek for. Pele nengo,
look for the road, i.e.
seek an occasion. Nemo,
n., parasite
Ne, tr. v., to boil, to emit
sparks. Njetanema. Fei
lo nema
Nehe, tr. v., to search for
food, to shift about in
search of food
Neku, adj.y smooth, shining,
glassy
Nemahii, plu. nemahfiisia^
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103
n., mind, sense, thonght,
intellect, judgment,
opinion, determination,
advice, conscience, con-
sciousness ; cleverness,
wisdom, memory, occu-
pation, science, skill.
Nemahii dewe gegelsia,
various kinds of trades.
Nemahii dewei gbotongo
le ndoei htf '
Nemahu* ba, tr, v., to tem-
porarily deprive of the
use of mental faculties,
to astonish ; adj., unwise,
imbecile, foolish. Nema-
hii heingo, being settled,
at rest
Nemahii dewf , to be clever.
Nemahii* lewe, to give
instruction,' direction ;
direct, order
Nemahii d§we-mo, plu.
dewe b§la, one who is
wise', clever, etc., to do a
thing. Nemahii dewengo.
Nemahii 1^-mo, a wise
person. Nemahii lewe-
yia, wisdom of words.
Ti nemahii vaya ti va,
They doubted of them.
Nemahu wu, to trust,
have confidence in. Ne-
mahii lew§, to forewarn
Nemakoli', tr. v., to attempt
to do, to make trial, to
acquire skill
Nemo, also nenemo, »., spy,
watcher ■
Nemu, tr. v., to injure, to
wound, to hurt, to make
or cause to be lame
Nemuma, n., wounds,
bruises, injuries
Nemu-mo, a person injured,
bruised, lamed
Nemungo, to be hurt, in-
jured, wounded
Nendl, n., toothless gum
Nene, n., shadow, shade,
likeness, spirit, ghost
Nengbe, n., a ftesh-water
lily
Nengbu, adv., very. K6le-
ngonengbu
Neni and ne, tr. v., to
sweeten, to make palat-
able, to make pleasant,
agreeable ; n., taste,
savour, sweetness
Nepo, tr. v., to appease, to
pacify, to coax, to induce,
to comfort, to console, to
caress, to fondle
Nepo-mo, n., comforter.
Nepo-Mnda, n., consola-
tion
Nepo-yla, w., enticing words
Nesr, n., pine-apple
Nete, n., door of bamboo or
of boards
Neye, adj\, smooth
Ne and Nene, adj., sharp.
. Mbowa nga nene
Nga, per 8. pron.^ 1 per., I,
connected with the future
tense and .conditional
sentences. Nga wa lo, I
shall come; nga li, I may
. go, or may I go ?
Nga, negative of the pre-
ceding, I not, shall not,
may not. Nga la mone,
I not yet = before I sufifer
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MENDE-iaJGLISH VOCABULARY.
Nga,suflax. (1^ To form the
plural number of nouns
denoting animated be-
ings, as, mahanga, kings ;
kondOnga, locusts; nde-
nga, brethren. (2) Con-
nected with verbs it forms
the definite present tense,
as, ndenga, to have told ;
denga, to have climbed,
mounted ; tonga, to have
. followed
Nga, adv,, off. Tewe nga
Nga, n., edge, point. Nga
bengo, vigorously, to the
. utmost
Nga, intr, v., to sing
Ngafa, plu. ngafesia, ngafa-
. nga, ngafangesia, w., idol
Ngafa = yafa, plu. ngafa-
ngelsia, spirit, soul, ghost,
. idol
Ngafa, tr, v., to slander, to
backbite, to make known
one's misdeeds or bad
. qualities
Ngafage, n., the spiritual
Ngafa-gotu, n., a stone re-
. presenting a spirit
Ngafama, adv,, finally
Ngafa-mo, plu. ngafa-bSla,
n. , spiritual person, spirit-
, ually minded
Ngafa-mo, «., accuser,
. slanderer
Ngafa vungo, living soul
Ngafe, tr, v., to fon, to win-
. now, as rice
Ngafo, tr. v., to go through,
. to reach to the other side
NgSfo, tr, v., to fan for cool-
ing a person
Ngaf5mo, n,, one who fans
. another
NgafSna, tr, v., to sharpen
. to a point ; adj., pointed
ISTga-giihei, adj., high
Ngaha, tr. v., to make dull,
blunt. Mbomei ya hango.
Applied to persons, lazy.
. Mbbwe ngahango
ISTgaba, n., a small animal
Ngaheu, adj., equal. Used
. of similar surfaces
Ngahg, tr, v., to draw out,
. as an axe bit by striking
Ngahou, tr, v., to braid
loosiely, as the hair; to
. restrain
Ngahii, n„ sole of the foot
Ngahii-g^e, n., favour
Ng&hiima, tr. v., to steal
. from
Ngai-gotu, blacksmith's
. stone = anvil
Ngai-mo, plu. ngai-bSla, n.,
, blacksmith
Ngakpa, tr. v., to complete,
to finish. Used with ngf-
. ng§
Ngakpa, tr, v,, to give the
balance, to make equit-
. able
Ngakpa, tr. v,, to sharpen.
. Ta konui yakpakotuima
Ngakpa gotu, n., stone for
sharpening, grind or
. whetstone
Ngakpe, intr. v., to spring,
. as a trap
Ngakpe, tr. v., to pursue, as
an enemy. Ngakpe nya-
, nia, persecution
Ngakpia, tr. v., to peisevere
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105
to the end ; to finish or
complete any work; to
conclude, draw an infer-
. ence ; to infer, reckon »
Ngakpo, tr, v., to end, to
finish, as the work of de-
. struction or of robbing
Ngaku, n., crab; tartar
incrustation upon the
. teeth
Ngaku, plu. ngakulsia =
, yaku, crab
Ngala, n., mat. I ngalei t5-
, mboa
Ngale* = yale, to break, as
a stick ; to wink the eye
, as is usual ; to split
Ngalengo, to be broken;
. broken
Ngali, n., thorn, prickle;
sharply pointed sticks set
in a ditch for defence. I
ngali bembe ma, He
. hedged it round about
Ngali, n,, sharpness, harsh-
. ness
Ngali-mo = ngai-mo, n.,
. blacksmith
Ngalu = ngau, n,, ep:g;
moon and month. ]7gi
. ngaufele mea
Ngalui i* htiia, the moon has
risen. Ngalu yela ke ku
§u, one month and ten
ays
Ngalu i ye dew^ the month
, that is past = last month
Ngalu la Tf ngo, the moon is
. full
Ngalu na ipekei woma, the
. month after next
Ngalu na i ye dewfni ipekf i
w$ma, the month before
. last
Ngalu nlna, a new egg, a
. new moon
Ngalu wekei, next month
Ngama, w.,*eye, .face, coun-
tenance. Ngama . t&
ngama, face to face. Ngi
ngama lo, I am present
Post position, before, in
the presence or remem-
. brance of
Ngama gbeka, n., eyelash
Ngama y5rnba, w., eyebrow ;
. and ngama binje
Ngama-gole, n., clear sight-
e.dness,' 'good fortune.
. Nga gol§ i nya bona, h&
Ngama lekpe, n., cross eye
Ngama-lo, to be present
Ko be pe ngama If,
though it be done in pre-
. text
Ngamane, adj., pleased with
. new surroundings
Ngama wanda wa, n., great
. grace
Ngama wo, large-eyed, t.e.
. coveteous
Ngama WQ-mo, one that has
large eyes, ».e. is very
, coveteous
STgama wohgo, n., open
. face
Ngama =yama, to return,
. to carry or send back
Ngamo, tr, v., to twist hard,
as a cord; to braid evenly,
as hair ; to dye the third
. time
Ngamo-l9, n., apple of the
eye ^
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MENDlE-ENaLISH VOCABULARY.
Ngandange, n,, iop, as of a
, tree or hill
Ngande, tr, v., to frighten,
to scare, to terrify; to
break a promise, to be-
. g^le
Ngande, n., deception,
hypocrisy
Ngande-m(J, n., deceiver,
. hypocrite
Ngandi, tr. v., to aid in
escaping, to shun, to
, sharpen
Ngandingo, to be sharp.
. Mbowe ngandingo
Ngandi, arij., sharp, severe,
. rigorous, distressing
Ngando, tr. v., to gather, to
assemble, to collect
Ngando-mo, one who
. gathers, etc.
Nganga, tr. v., to thresh with
the feet, as rice. I mbf i
. yangama
Ngangale, intens. v., to
break repeatedly
Nganga-l^ngoi, n., broken
Ngange, tr. and intr, v., to
itch, to scratch
Ngangoli, tr. v., to fine ; to
oblige to pay, as dam-
. ages
Ngapolango, w., odd number.
, Kolo sawa ti ngapolango
Ngara, n., a coarse grass.
. Ngara bebea, n., couches
Ngasa, adv., hastily. Mu
hifa ngasa
Ngasa, tr. v., to seize, to
. catch after pursuit
Ngata, intr. v., to turn upon
the back, to lie upon the
. back
Ngate, tr. v., to kindle, to
set a trap, to cut finely ;
to commence a settle-
ment. Ngi heime ji
. yatea
Ngatewe, tr. v., to cut open,
. to make an incision
Ngati, n., passion
Ngatigo, tr. v., to feel, to be
affected by. Used of evil
events, unless otherwise
indicated. Njie ji ngi
ngatigoi lo ha (Luke
. xxiv. 32)
Ngato, to think
Ngau, w., favour. A ngau
lewe, with boldness or
. confidence
Ngau wanda, n., grace.
Ngau wo we, to covet.
Ngau lewe * wa, great
. plainneis of speech
Ngawo, adj., bold, insolent.
Ngawongo, to be proud.
. Ngawongo, great
Ngawote, tr. v., to turn over,
, to overthrow, to interpret
Ngawu, n., wild yam, egg
Ngaya, w., tear. Ta nga-
yama. They are shedding
, tears
Ngaylll, tr. v., to agree, to
covenant. Ti ngayllia,
. it was determined
$g? = yf = P^^ = y®
Ng|, per 8. pron., 1 per.
sing., neg., I not, not I,
I cannot or will not; but
also affirm., as, ngf sag9
I said *'no." Ngf pf ti
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107
yama a ndole, I will not
make them go back with
hunger = hungering.
Object pron.y me, always
preceded by a, as, ti pea
Nge, pers.pron., 1 per. sing.,
1\ neg., I can or will not;
generally followed by
la, as, nge la pe gboma,
I will (certainly) not do
. it again
Nge, I say, imper, v, Nge,
I say, be, thou sayest, etc.;
also ngee. It regularly
follows verba sentiendi et
declarandi, and, like ibH^,
may be translated by the
participial form " saying,"
or the conjunction "that,''
as, I ndS ye ti fe ngi we,
He said saying = that they
. should give it to her
Nge, tr. v., to take up. Used
only imperatively in the
, present tense
Ngea = yeya = ngeya,. n,,
line, rope, string. Ngea
giitu, short, guha lula,
long, rotten rope. Ngi
wa a ngeya
Ngea = ngeya = yeya, ir, v.,
to buy, to sell, to obtain.
I kole yeyaa ha. I kpa
yeyai lo,' He bought a
. field
Ngebu, plu. ngebua, the
same as ngelf-bu, plu.
ngelebua, the sky, under
the* sky, in the world,
that is seen. Ngebu
WQgi gbele, Behold the
^eatness of the sky.
Sgebu gbi, all nations;
plu. ngelebua gbi, all
people or all things under
heaven, all mankind.
Ngele bu hinda be. Even
nature itself. E lembe
tunu ngebu. He would not
remain long in the world
=on earth
Ngee (I), saying
Ngei gotu, n., anvil
Ngela, tr. v., to sweep, to
wipe, to brush, .to clean,
to move. Ngelango,
. swept
Ngela-mo, n., individual,
single person
Ngelanda, w., squirrel
Ng|la-ngfla, n., every one,
. each one
Ngelaya, n., state of being
. alone
Ngele, n., a large chronic
. ulcer
Ngele, tr, v., to fry, to parch,
. to make crisp by drying
Ngele, intr, v., to laugh, to
deride; n,, laughter, de-
. rision
Ngele, n., a play in which
the dancers form into two
parallel lines and dance
towards each other, call-
ing out the opposite ones
Ngele, 71., sky,heaven, cloud,
. lightning
Ngele-gohii, w., .within the
sky, heaven. Ngele-gohu-
. mo, one who is in heaven
Ngele-g9hiige, the heavenly
one
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Ngele mahu, n., nsed in the
sense of nnhidden by
, death, land of the living
Ngele-vo or ngevo, n., dry
season lasting from No-
vember to April
Ngele w6 or wohu, n., early
dawn, day-break. Ngele
weka wai lo, or con-
tracted, nge wekei woni,
lit. when another sky
opened. = the next morn-
ing. Ngele wo gbe, the
. time of day-dawning
Ngeleya, w., on high, in the
space above our heads,
. chamber, etc.
Ngeleya, adv., loud, loudly ;
. high, on high
Ngeli, tr. v., to abuse with
words, to revile; w.,
abusive language, abuse.
Ke i tatonga a ngeli
. wilia a jendu
Ngeli, w., oath
Ngeli, tr, v., to play a musi-
cal instrument with the
. hand
Ngell-kpiiwa, n., black-
. smith's shop
Ngeli-mo, one that uses
abusive language ; the
. same as ngeli-wili-mo
Ngelimo, the same as ngei
. mo, w., blacksmith
$geloba, n. (Tuelde), camel
Ngenda, w., morning.
Ngenda volo, morning
sun, i,e, forenoon ; the
time between the ngenda
tete and the folo ngiindia,
i.e. between the early
morning and noon. A
mu ngenda. Let us bid
farewell, good-bye. I
ngenda vei lo mu we ke
. i ya
Ngenga = genga
Ngengalu, w., finger or toe
. nail, claw, talon
Ngengalu hua, n., any
. animal with claws
Ngenge, plu. ngengea, n.,
work, labour.* Yenge,
tr. v., to work, to labour.
Ngenge waisia, great,
, wonderful works
Ngenge, n., pieces
Ng|ng|la, tr. v., the act of
picking up the scattered
sticks one by one from a
. burnt field
Ngengele, n., a plant much
used in vegetable sauce ;
. crincre
Ngfnge mo, n., labourer,
■ workman
Ngengeny g, plu.ngengenyga,
w., ' workers together,
, fellow-labourer
Ngete, n., pestle. Nya yetei
Ng|t|-gbiilo, n., a hard
callous upon the hand
by beating with a pes-
. tie
Nge-V9, n., dry season,
. summer
Ngewo, n., God, the Creator
Nggwo-bonda, n., mother's
. mark
Ngewo-da hu, n., God's
dwelling-place
Ngewo gei, godly manner.
Ng§ WQ i bi If mbi
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109
Ngewo-golo, n., Grod*s curse
, or vengeance
Ngf wo-hmda, God's affairs,
i.e. what Grod does, re-
quires, accepts ; what has
reference to Grod
Ngewo hinda yekpf, n.,
. God's favour
Ngewo i nyoni, God has
given me. Ngewo longo
, liivu
Ng^wo longo, n., nature.
Ngewo iongoge, the
. natural man
Ngfwo-mo, plu. Ngewo-
bSla, n., godly person
Ngewo wele, plu. ngewQ
wea, n., God's house,
church, i.e. the building.
Ti ngewo wea do, they
build churches
Ngewoya, w.. Godhead
Ngewo-y ia-le-mo, w., preach-
, er of God's word
Ngeya = ngea, n., rope,
, boundary
Ngeya = yeya, n., hand,
possession, keeping. A
, ngeya jukululo jo
Ngeya, tr, v., to buy, to
^ obtain, to sell
%eya = ng§lf ya, jprep., up,
above us. Pu ngeya. Put
Ngeya baka, w., sharp
Ngfya-gondo, adj.j close-
. handed, stingy, illiberal
Ngeya-haka, adj., empty-
handed. Kina i lini ke i
. yamaa a ngeya h^ka
Ngeyako, w., vine, creeper,
climber, runner, winder
Ngeyako la, adv., henceforth
Ngeya-mo, n., buyer or
. seller
Ngeye, to be near to, to
approach; as, bi levui i
, ngeye a gele lo
Ngey'ema, n., the place
where any thing is
. bought or sold
Ngi, pers. pron., 1 per.,
neg., I not, not I, I must
. not
Ngi, pers. pron,, I
Ngie, obj. pron., 3 per.,
him, her, it. In use
always with "a"
Ngila = yila, n., dog. Ngili-
. ha, n., bitch
Ngili, tr. v., to cook
Ngili, tr. v., to tie, to bind,
to gird, to clothe. Bi
golf yjli, to wear, to
. put on
Nglllmo, n,, cook
Nginda, pron., his own, her
own, its own. Nya-nda,
. my part
Ngiti, n., the open space
, near the house
Ngjtjya, plu. ngitlsia yitisia,
n., the outside, street;
whatever is without, out
of doors, ^.broad. Opposed
to within. YS^, the sur-
face, outside of the
. street
Ngi vuli, pron,, himself,
. herself, itself
Ngi we, ngie, pron,, for
, him, for her, for it
Nglye, n„ hill, land opposed
to water; plu, «giyesi$.
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bank, shore. Nglye lolo,
. mountainous country
Nglye, conf., unless, except.
It is often used with ke,
as, nga waa lo nglye ke
nje i waa
Ng = y, ngo = yo
Ngo = wo, n., cry, lamenta-
tion, warning ; intr, v.,
, to cry. Ndoi ji a wo
jSfgo, n., sound* voice, word,
report, advice. I ngo
wilia ngi ma. Nglye nga
wa gboma hi wg a ngo.
Ngo yela la, one word,
mouth *- conspiracy, plot.
I ng9i ji ge a tie. He
revealed to them the
plot; bargain. Ti wa
ngo yela hH, They enter
. upon a bargain
Ng9 = 'WO, tr. v., to bre^k,
to open forcibly. Ngi
nya la w6; but law5 is
frequently used merely
to open, to put. I ngoa
ngi grm doi hu. Nya
tombui wOnga. Ye lo
ngoni? Ngo meni, to
hear one's ' word, to
. obey
Ngo, w., an elderly person ;
any grown-up person
whose name his younger
brothers or sisters are
. afraid to mention
Ngo, w., a message. Ngo
will, to send a message, a
verbal message. I ngo
, will dewea ngi we
$g9, n., destruction
Ngogbe, n., Sasa wood
Ngogbe, to search for by
. the use of magic
Ngoha, adv., abistractedly ;
with inattention, ab-
. sorbed. Ba lema ngohH
Ngohu-gbgnda-mo, n., a
deaf person, disobedient
. person
Nggi, tr. v., to take, to agree
Ngoka, n,, a fish called
, mangrove page
Ngoko, n., a hollow stump
or body of a tree in the
. water
Ngola, n., forest, wilder-
ness, desert
NgQla, n., a scoop-shaped
knife, used for hollowing
. wooden vessels
Ngola-voma, n., a rod or
. switch for correction
Ngole, tr, v., to shave. Ta
. nu-gbele wole
Ngole = 16 = loni, tr. v., to
love, to like, to be pleased
with. . Nya longo le a
bie. Ngi loni a bie. Nya
. dolongo a bie, dislike
Ngo-leli, w., pleasant voice,
, encouraging words
Ngoll, n,, urine. Ng6ll-ta,
n., urinary bladder. Ngo-
. llbo
Ngoll,* plu. ngolla, ngollsia,
71., ear, tail, mane. Ng6-
ll-hii gbindi, n., deafness.
Ngoli-hu gbonda-mo,
deaf person; deafened,
, deaf, stunned, stubborn
Ngoli, tr. v., to fine for
misdemeanor or crime
to pay a fine
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Ill
Ngoli hti vule, n., earring
NgSlo, tr. v,l to break, as
a dish ; to crack, as a
mit
Ngolo, ngg, adf, great,
large. Ngiiru ji ngglongo
Ngolo, n., bush- cow
Ngolo, tr. v., to dissolve
Ngolongo, wolongo, wongo,
to be great, large. Ngi
, wni ngo longo
Ngoma, verK n., "weeping,
. crying ; place of weeping
Ngoma wo-voloi ma, to the
. day of redemption
Ngomba, n., a tree
Ngombe, n., undeveloped
palm nuts ; a seed formed
into a necklace and worn
. by Sande girls
Ngombi = wombi, n,, knee.
. Bi wombi gbakpa
Ngombu, w., fire. Wa bi
ngomhu yate, conflagra-
tion
Ngombu, w., picked up
beneath. Used of palm
nuts gathered under the
tree
Ngombu-lama, n., fireplace
Ngombu-vo, n.y light
Ngombu-wulu, n,, firewood
Ngomo, w., one who breaks
, something
Ngona = nona, adj., bitter.
I kpekpeni me va. It is
. not nice to eat
Ngo-ne, n.y sweet sound;
, adj\, melodious
Ngongo, tr, v., to give oil
and salt to a twin in
worship. Ta ngi wongo
ISTgohgSya, n., umbilical
. cord
Ngghgo = wongo, to be
large, great; w., size,
greatness. Ndende ngi
ngongo yele tf wf ngo pele
.ma
Ngongolu, plu. ngongolua,
w., tooth
NgOEigolu yajia, w., grind-
. ing or gnashing of teeth
Ngo nyamu, n. and adj,, an
unpleasant sound; dis-
cordant
Nggpi, n., ague cake with
enlarged bowels. Ague
cake is the name given to
. an enlarged spleen
NgorO, n., an ape, chim-
. pan zee
Ngoro-bonu, n., a plant with
leaf and pod similar to
. ponu
Ngoro-lol6, n., a tree like
. the kola
Ngoro, n., a kind of worm,
, small, green, and hairy
Ngote-gbia, tr. v., to pursue
and search with energy
until the truth is ascer-
. tained
Ngoto, buttock. Gluteus
. Enagnus
Ngoto miamla, n., an itch-
ing eruption between
. glutei magni
Ngotoko, n., the point of
, tiieconyx
Ngoto pele, »., the me-
dian line between glutei
magni
Ngoto, w., a deer-shaped
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112
animal with long spiral
horns, yellow in colour,
, with white stripes
Ngova = wova, adj., old,
aged. Mame ji hgi wova-
ngo. Ngovei, the elder.
Ngova ma, in old times,
. long since
Ngovo, n., cockwood
Nggwo, n., waist, loins.
. Useii of the back
Ngowo, n.y the spring pole
to a snare or mouse-
. trap
Ngowo, n., the beginning
and end of the feast of a
. public mourning
Ngoyo, tr. v., to pick up
with bill, mouth, or fin-
gers. Nwonisia ti waa ti
mbe gbi WQyoa
Ngo will = wowili; as, ngo-
wili yekpe, good news, the
gospel
Ng = w, ngii = wii, ngu =
wu
Ngu = wii, ngiii = wui ;
plu. ngiia = wiia, ngiiisia
= wiiisia ; head, leader,
top, handle (of a knife),
bunch of (plantains), ear
of corn ; bow, as of a ship.
Ngii mba, n., head-dress,
covering, veil. Sgii dewe-
mo, w., executioner, be-
header. l^gCd kiind^i hu
va. The bead of the corner.
Ti ngii hite ngi we ngi
va, They put their heads
together concerning him
= held a consultation.
Ngii hH ha hinda lo mu
yama. It is a head-dead-
ening, confounding mat-
ter in our eyes = it is
marvellous, etc. Ngiihii
wu hinda ,ya na. It is no
marvel. Ngii yela, one
head, man = twenty. Ta
. ngi go a navo ngii yela
Ngu, tr, and inir. v., to melt;
. to awake, to arouse
Ngua = wua, def. st. nguei
= wuei; plu. ngua = wu4,
def. st*. nguesia = wuesia ;
w., fruit. Nge yakg wua.
Ngua wiiru mia. Wa ti go
ti wuesia lo ma. Nguru
yekpe *e wua ngua nyamu,
ngiiru nyamu e wua a
, ngua yekpe
Ngua, tr, v.\ to wash, to
put on, as clothes; to
thrust in, to lead in;
to instal in an office ; to
subject to. Ti ngi wua a
. maha
Ngua, tr, v., to take an oath,
to lay a wager, to bet. Ta
sendu wua
Nguala, verb, n., washing
Nguama,t;er6. w., answering.
Wa gili pen a kpemb^i
wa nguama, Do not think
first about the question
, you are answering
Ngua-ngo-hii, v., to enter
. the ear, to persuade
Nguango = wuango, to be
, washed
Ngue, intens, adv., very. Ngi
. gahii ye yibon ngue
Ngiife = wiife, n., shame,
diffidence, modesty, re-
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113
proach. Ngiife gbia, to
, take away reproach
Nguff-ba, adj., shameless,
immodest
Ngufele, n., hair braided or
woven. Ngiife li ngi wii-
, mba
Ngiifengo, to be ashamed,
to make ashamed
Ngiifulo, n., hair loosened,
. Tinbraided, uncombed
Ngii-goko hindei, w., skull,
. the place of a' skull
Ngii hite, to hang heads
together, to deliberate,
. consult
Ngu hftei hu, w., council,
. the place of
Ngii-hii-ba hinda, n,, won-
der; some event that
overpowers or confuses
the head, or exceeds
man's powers of compre-
. hension or understanding
Ngii-hugbe mo, one that
looks into his head, i.e.
considers carefully, looks
upon a matter from all
. sides ; is wise, intelligent
Ngii-hii-hei and ngii hu d5,
expresses determination.
Nya wui huhfingo hinde
. ijiweva
Ngii hii-kpakpao and ngii
hii-gbonda, expresses ob-
. stinacy
Ngu-hii-nyamu, expresses
a disposition to resent or
, revenge every injury
Ngiikg, n., the part above,
Nje wiiko. The head,
kpukoi wiikg
Ngiikpe, w., the stump of a
. tree or shrub
Ngiile, n., song, hymn, tune.
I ngulf i gbia. Ngule jole
, menia
$gule-mo, n., singer
Ngiili, n,, a tree
Ngiili, tr. v., to dip up. Nje
wiill, to dip into ; to
. paddle, to row
Ngiili-mbu, n., bottom of a
, tree
Ngiilo, n,, oil, fat, marrow
Ngiilo gbou, red, i.e. palm oil
Ngiilu, def. st. ngiilui; plu.
ngiilua, def. st. ngiiluisia ;
n., tree, stick. Ngulu
liilsia yando. Ngiilu
beli,to be. skilled in wood-
work. Ngiilu giitu, the
stump of a tree. Ngiilu
hape, root of a tree
Ngiilu-beli-mo, one that is
clever' in wood-work,
. carver, carpenter, joiner
Ngulu wa, plu. ngiilu
weisia,. n., fruit of the
tree. Ngiilu wei ihalage,
. first-fruits
Ngiilu wa ngoli-mo, one
, that plucks fruit
ISTguma, n., bundle
Ngiima, w., headship, pre-
, eminence
Ngiimahii, n., Sande en-
. closure within the town
Ngiimao or npiimau, tr, v.,
to redeem. Ken§indop5i
ji wumao
Ngiima woya, w.,redemption
Ngiimau hinda or hani, n.,
ransom, redemption fee
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HENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Ngumau-mo, w., ransomer,
redeemer ; one that pays
the price for setting a
. slave free
Ngiimba, n,, top, summit
Ngiinde, n., brick or stone
used' for supporting a
, cooking-pot over the fire
Ngiindia, n,, human hair;
middle of the head. F9I0
. ngiindia, noon
Ngiindu, adj., green, fresh,
. raw, uncooked, young
Ngiindu mbu, adj., used of
nowo when healed upon
the surface, but is pain-
. ful beneath
Ngii-nia, w., short hair
Nguru, i.q. ngulu
Ngiiru, w., a black snake
Ngiit9, v., to handle an axe
Ngiit§ka, tr. v., to turn the
head downwards ; to slay,
as in war; to sell as
slaves into another
country
NguvolS, w., snake of dark
. colour
Ngiiwa, w., a kind of mon-
key with the upper and
outer parts black, the
, inner and under parts red
Ngfiwo, n., cotton tree
Ngiiwo-danga, n., a kind of
bitter cassada ; also
ngwangwa ta mbg, gall
= ngonango, to be bitter
Ni, suffix forming the plural
of some nouns, and the
imperfect and pluperfect
of the verb : as, meni, to
hear; menini, heard
Ni, adv., so, soon, presently.
Ta pe lo nl
Nia, adj., short. Mba nia.
Ngiinia
Nigile <yr nfgili, to search
with the finger
Nika, ei, plu. nika, nikani,
and nikanga, w., cow
Nika ha, plu. nika hineisia,
cow
Nika-hlna, plu. nika hinesia,
bull
Nika-15,, plu. nika loisia,
calf. Nglnlka-loiwiilongo
bani
Nika-nyenI, w., cow's bag
and teats ; a vine bearing
fruits teat-shaped
Nlka-nylnl-ya,w., cow's milk
Nikile, n., ground-nut, pea-
nut
Nikpa, tr. v., to press down ;
to rub on the earth in
wrestling or in grief; to
prune, to cut off
Nikpo, tr. v., to rub with
the hand, as in washing
clothes
NllI, adj. and adv., very dark.
Kpindi ya nlll, com-
pletely. Pelf hango nill
Nimi, adj., a' little sweet.
Ngiiru wuai ji nImi
Nimisa, n, severe punish-
ment. NlmisahukunafJ,
everlasting punishment.
A ti wgli kunaf9 nimisa
Nimisama, n., place of pun-
ishment
Nimisa nyallma, n., anguish
of heart
Nimisango, to be tormented
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY,
115
Nimo, w., the. trunk of an
elephant. Ngi nimoi lo
malua ma hani le
Nina, adj.y new, not old,
. fresh
Nina^ pin. ninanga, 71.,
rat. NgS nina me, I will
not eat a rat. Adv., so
it is Ti ninanga malea
togbo
Ninango, to be renewed
. made new. Kolo nina
Ninga, n., a tree, perhaps
. species of aloe
Ninglga, 71., dew or rain
. standing in drops
Ninginanga, 71., rainbow
Nini, w., weaving harness
Niiii,w., female breast; adv,,
so it is
Nja = ya
Nja (=ya), def. st. njei,
water, rain, sap, fluid
Njafa, tr, v., to slander, to
backslide, to defame ;
slanderous
Nja-famo, n., slanderer,
deceiver
Nja-gata, w., billow, wave
Njagbe, n,, nephew, niece
Njagb|anga, n., sea coasts
near the water
Nja-gbekpe, n., a water in-
sect formed like a cock-
roach
Njagbl, n., son or daughter
of a sister. Used by men
Nja-gboji, w., white water-
lily, the leaves circular
and floating; also a lily
with lanceolate leaves
two feet long
Nja-gbol§ma, w., watering-
place, watering
Nja-gboli, 71., dark rain-
cloud
Nja-gbiiwa, n,, rain-shed;
a large spreading hat,
umbrella
Njagere, ti., pool, lake
Nja-goie, cold water
Nja-goll, n., a kind of leo-
pard that frequents water
Nja-guara, n., a species of
monkey
Nja-hele, n., hippopotamus
Nja-jilo, 71., a kind of spider
that frequents the water
Nja-jokoi hii, n., in the bent
of the water, hence a cape
Njajola, 71., one very short
in stature, a dwarf
Njaka, 71., red-headed lizard
Njala, 71., lion
Njala, n,, indigo plant, and
dye from the same
Njala, n., water's mouth,
landing-place, wharf
Njala-navo, ti., custom, duty
Nja-leli-lopa, ti., a kind of
deer with dark stripes
Njalo, n,, a fabulous water-
spirit with a body like a
serpent, and a head like
shining silver
Njalowa, n,, a water-hole,
a well
Njamba, 71., a skirt of
palm fibres hanging
fringe-like
Nja-miimui, 71., gentle rain
Nja-nene, n., a small bug
that walks upon the
water
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MENDE-ENGUSH VOCABULARY.
Njanja, w., palm leaves
placed upright in a line,
forming a screen for con-
cealment
Njanja, tr, v,, to separate,
to disperse, to remove.
Eoloisia yanja mese ma
Njasa, n,, palm leaf for
thatch
Nja-ve, 71., deluge, flood;
the swelling of the sea,
high tide
Nja-vei wumbn, n., some
kind of sponge
Nja-vele, n., water-fanner,
a large water-turtle
Nja-volo, n,, the sky dotted
with small dark clouds
and the sun hot, as at the
beginning of rains
Nja-wamanwgni,w., pelican,
great water-bird
Njaye, n,, a society charac-
terized by the worship of
a snake
Nje = ye
Nje, def. st. njei, master,
matron, instructor, leader
In addressing a person
ye is used
Nje,*w., mother; also used as
a term of respect to any
woman. The natural
mother is lenje; as, nya
lenjei = nje nya leni, The
mother who gave me
birth, from le, to beget
and give birth
Nje, def. st. njei ; plu. njipa
and njeanga, def. st. nj§-
ngeisia*; n., goat Nje lo,
n., kid
Nje and njei = ye or yie, ir,
v., to lower, to* lessen, to
descend, to take down.
I ngi njeni, to journey
westward
Njego, n,y the part of a river
above any given position
Njeguli, w., goat-pen
Nj|indowu and njendowu,
n., depth
Njekg, n., a tree called
Christmas
Njfla, n., wharf
Njfli, n,, one who responds
by rapping upon a turtle-
shell
Njembu, n., the part of a
river below any given
position
Njf mo, n., mother-in-law
Njemo-hlnda, n., charac-
teristic treatment by a
mother-in-law
Njf ni, plu. form, parents
Njenje, tr. v., to shake with
a sideling motion. Used
of separating the coarse
grain from the fine
Njenjeve, n,, a corroding
disease that destroys the
nose and affects the throat
Njenyani, a tree with bitter
medicinal bark
Njepa, n., a plant poisonous
to goats
Njepe, n., conversation.
Njepe wova, an old story ;
njepe If, to converse
Njepe-mo = yepe-mo, fool-
ish talker
Njepe-nyamu, wicked, evil,
bad conversation
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HENDE-ENGUSH YOCABULABT.
117
Nj§-wul6, n., aunt
Nji = yi = njl =yi
Njl, n., sleep^ coagulation ;
adj,, sleepy. Njl lop9i a
ngie
Njla, def. at njf^i, n., word,
saying, language, matter,
affair, concern, quarrel,
law-suit. Njla gbi, ad-
verbial, all right. Njia-
mo, n., antagonist,
quarrelsome person. Nga
glle lo a njifi ji nga la-
. yfeu Njiei i wa and
iglei wa df ma, it comes
to pass, is fulfilled. Njla
wiUo lo, it is a little
affair. I iglfi df wfa, he
has cut, i.e. he has settled
the matter.. Njia-hlnda,
quarrel, dispute. Njifi
gbate or nyege, to com-
pose or write a history.
NjIa-mak]ua-mo, one who
contradicts. Njla lond^
isia, secrets. Njia w$t|-
mo, one who interprets.
Njla wotema hinda, inter-
pretation. Njla lond9-
Ifla, whispering. Njia-
njia, contentions. Njla
le-mo, one who pleads
the cause of another,
lawyer, adyocate. I nji§-
If w§ nil we
Njia-nenfi, n., enticing
language, words
Njx-gfelf, sleeping-time.
Njima, n.y sleeping-place.
NjI-nyQ, n., bed-fellow
Nji-higbe, «., water-sick-
ness, t.e. dropsy
Njlmgmo, n., one inclined
to sleep often ; the name
of a little bird
Njio, adj,, yoimg, small,
finger or toe. Tok$ yi9
Njipl, n., all the sleeping-
time. Njipl mu yini
Njlva, n,, pocket in a man's
gown
Njivo and nJQVO-gale, n.,
testicle
NjC, n., a vine used for
binding, also its fruit
NJQgbo, tr. v., to cause to
take proper form by
Pressure or other means :
ence to cause to obey,
to cause to conform
NJQko, to be tired
Njoko, tr, v., to slacken, to
loosen. Ngeyeyoko
Njpla, adj., slovenly, imtidy
in habits
Njola, 91., desolation and
slaughter, as in war. Ti
nj5la gbia mu ma
Njombd, n., feathers, hair
of animais, hair upon the
human body except that
of the head
NJQmbo, tr, v., to root, to
knead, to soften by
squeezing, to work as
mortar
NJ9mb$ wiilu, n., a kind of
hairy tree
Njgnjo, tr, v., to gather,
to pucker, to hang
loosely
NJQpo, w., a field from which
the rice has been har-
vested
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118
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Nj5s5, n., fabulous spirits
AwelliDg in the woods
Njoso-yeya, n., a black vine
used for a neck orna-
ment
Njovo, n., scrotum and con-
tents
Njovo-gale, w., testicle
Njovo-ta, w., scrotum
Njowe, n,, potato
Nj6w|-la, n., potato leaf
Njdwele, tr, v., to rubor roll
between the hands; to
wash, as cloth
Njowolo, tr. v., to rub, as in
washing cloth; to mash
with a rubbing motion,
as food for an infant
Njoyo, tr, v., to send a
present to an absent
person
Njufe, adj\, soft. Fande yufe,
unspun cotton
Njula, adj., blue
Njuo and njio, n., finger or
toe. Toko-yu5. Kowo-
yuo
No, tr. v., to contmue, to
insist upon, to constrain,
to stick to, to persevere
in, to assert strongly.
No hinda yekpe wel§
ma. I nga ma ye tonya
le. Ke ji va no ngi ma.
"VVu HQ nlnda yakpf i va
lo.
Nof and nof-yaka, north.
Noko, 72., elbow
Noll, adj.y chronic, inactive.
Higbe I ye noli
Ngli, adj., black. Kol§ ke
UQli
Noma, verb, n., continuance^
perseverance
Nomi, w., a fine moss grow-
ing in damp places
Nomo, adj., all. Mu nomo-
ngo wu li
Nomo, tr. v., to name one
by one, to designate.
Ngi wu la nomoa
Nomoll, n., a stone rudely
carved in the human
form, used in the wor-
ship of spirits
Ngngba, n., a kind of bag.
Nongba or ngngbe, sickle
Nongo, to be unclean
Ngngola, n., name of a
country in the interior
Ngni, n., a small piece,
part, fragment
Ngno, tr. v., to embroider
upon cloth
Nono, n., sour or curdled
milk
Ngvi, adj., persistent, un-
flinching
Ngwo, Bondo or Sande
devil
Ngwo, tr. v., to dirty, to
soil ; adj.f dirty, un-
clean
Ngwo, n., a skin disease,
crawceraw
Ngwiilo, n,, small insect in
Ngwo
Nil, n., person ; plu. niinga,
people. Nu yela, one
person. Nu yela gbgyo-
ngo, one person finished,
completed, i.e. twenty.
Nu fele gbgyongo, two
persons completed, i.e.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABr.
119
forty. The natives count-
ing fingers and toes
Nngole, n,, deceitfulness
Nugolf-mo, n., tempter
Numa,* tr. v., to slacken
Numu, w., person. Numni
na, the person who. Nu-
mni jj, this, numni na,
that, person. The inde-
finite pronouns referring
to persons are expressed
by numu, as, numu gbi,
every one, any one;
numui na, the person
that = whosoever, plu.
nunga gbi, all who, who-
soever. Numu gbi I le
be, not every one, lit.
every one is not here =
no one is here. Numu
lenga, some one, some-
body. Numni na gbi i
loni i wa a wa lo. Whoso-
ever will come, let him
come. Inumui gbi oloni,
He saw no one. Nuinu
nyamu, but ill-disposed
man
Numu-hango, plu. numu
hangoa, hang5is]a, n.,
dead body, corpse
Numu wala hinda, w.,
murder
Nunga, plu. of nu and
numu, persons, people
Nunga-warmo, n,, men-
killer, murderer
Nuni, tr, v., to castrate ; to
make holes in a palm
tree into which a large
beetle lays eggs; to
make eunuchs
Nunl-mo, pip. nunlbSla, ».,
eunuch. Ngi nunlngo
IJTunoko-hu, one cubit
Nwe, adv., surely, certainly,
, by all means
Nwe, adv, = wen
Nwona, w., strike, stroke.
. Ndemoi,manwQnawelo?
Nwona, w., gall. Hu pungo
a hani nwona, mixed with
, something bitter
Nwona, tr, v., to cut, to
wound with any sharp
instrument. Ti ngi wQua
. a saki
Nwona, adj,, bitter. Tife ji
. nwonango
Nwoni, w., bird
Nwoni, n., bird, oyster. Nja-
yf ma-nwoni, oyster upon
. mangrove
Nwonl-ga, n., oyster-shell
NwonI-y5mbo, adj.,^ bird
. feather
Nwonyo-nwonyo, adj., pit-
ted, indented, as by scars
of small-pox
Nya, verb, pron., 1 per.
sing., I ; poss., my ; ohj.,
me. Biwanyaye? Nya
ke, my father. Nya nda,
my own
Nya, per syncope for nya-
ha, woman
Nyabu, plu. nyabua, n., a
young woman
Nyafa, n., accusation
Nyaha, def. st. nyahei ; plu.
nyahaa = nyaha and
nyahanga, nyahangei,
nyahangfsia ; womab,
wife, female
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MENDE-ENGLISH YOCABULABT.
Nyaha-boil$p9, n., female
servant
Nyaha gb6t$ JQla, n., poly-
gamy
Nyaha gboto-jo-mo, n.,
polygamist *
Nyaha jo, v., to get a wife,
to acquire a wife, to
marry a wife
Nyaha joma, n., the place
where the marriage-feast
is kept
Nyaha-jo-mo, the person
who takes a wife, bride-
groom
Nyaha-ld, n,, daughter
Nyaha-l5p$, w., girl; plu.
nyaha-lop§nga
Nyaha-luwQ, n., female
slave
Nyaha mahei, n., king's
wife, queen
Ny&hap5, plu. nyahap6nga,
w., girl, young woman,
young lady; intr. v., to
grow up to womanhood,
to reach puberty, to
mature
Nyaha nyaha-mo, n., adul-
terer
Nyaha-woli, n., name of the
moon corresponding with
March
Nyala, n,, dog's flea
Nyala, 12., a kind of tick
Nyama = nyayftma, n,, eye,
my eye; face, counte-
nance. Nyama bfngo e
liiwa. His eye is dry, he
is not afraid = brave
Nyama, plu. nyamSnga, n,,
judge. Nyama hfwum
labu, before the judgment-
seat. Nyama yffi, a ju-
dicial sentence
Nyambe, pron., my own,
my thing
Nyamgbf, n., a wild cat,
bush cat
Nyamu, adj,, ugly," unr
comely ; as, nyamumo,
bad, evil, wicked. Ngi
hinda nyamungo. Hfndo
nyamu, bad man. Hinda
nyamu, n., sin. Hinda
nyamu w§, to commit
sin
Nyamu, intr, v., to fade in
beau^, to become ugly,
to deteriorate in manners
or character
Nyanda, pron., my own,
mine
Nyand§, adf,, pretty, beau-
tiful, handsome, fine,
valuable, good
Nyande, tr, v., to adorn, to
beautify, to improve
Nyandegi, n., beauty, and
nyandfma
Nyand^ngo, to be fine, good,
nice. Nya li I nyandeni
nya g^hii, lit. My heart
is not at ease in my
inside = I am sad, sorrow-
ful, dejected. Nyandf
nya va = good for me =
to be cheap
Nyangbf, plu. nyangbeida,
n., bush goat, fox' (?),
spotted wild cat
Nyangfma and nyangoba,
n,y eclipse. Nyang5m§
i ngalui h^ua
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JilKNDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
121
Nyanl, tr. v., to spoil, to
decay, to break, to de-
stroy, to become im-
poverished. Nyaningo I
If, incorruptible
Nyanya, n., small sticks
gathered from the burnt
field or broken by hand
for fuel
Nyapo, n., girl, young
woman, young lady
Nyapo, v., to reach puberty,
to become womanly, to
mature
Nyapoya, n., state of being
a young woman
Nya villi, jwon., myself
Nya-wo, pron., my own
Nye, plu. nyenga, n,, a
fish. T nyei gegeisia gbi
hou. Gbenye mla ?
Nye^boma, n,, fishing-net
Nye-g&, w., fish-scale
Nyegbe hindQ or nyegbe-
mo, n.y fisher
Nyegi, tr. v., to mark, to
stripe, to write, to draw,
to print, to carve. Nye-
gingo, it is written
Nyegi, adj\, marked, drawn,
painted in colours. Kola
nyegi, speckled, dotted'
Nyemegolu, n,, Mende iron ;
a magic charm or fetish
Nyene, n., liver
Nyengbe,^ tr, v., to lop
the branches of fallen
trees
Nyenye, adj., little, small.
Nya lokoi nyenye bo gbi
hii?
Nyenye, n., measles
Nyepele, adv., a little while.
Hfi nyepele
Nyi, tr.v., to bite. Ba nya
nyl; and nyl we. Nja-
h6lf a ndende nyl
Nyiko. See Nyoko
Nylma, verb, n., bite
Nyimi, tr. v., to step or
tread upon ; to injure, to
wrong. Ti nyamia ngi
ma, to resist. Ti nyi-
mima a gowo
Njrimima, n., the place
where something is trod-
den upon; and adj., in-
jured, wronged
Nyi-mo, one who treads
upon something
Nylna, w., rat
Nylna, with nyamu, n., evil
spirits
Nylni, n., udder, bag, teats,
breast, nipple
Nylniya, n., breast-water
= milk; def. st. nylni-
yei. Nylniya nyaningo.
Nasia ta nyini v| ndenga
we
Nyo,' tr. v., to give, to re-
compense, to bestowupon,
to present with. Nyo a
koloi n§r. Ngewo i bi
nyQni ha
Nyo, n., com
Nyo, suffix, associate^ com-
panion. Jianyo
Nyogbfle or gbflingo, n.,
kuskus. Vai, wonye
ny9ro
Nyogfi, n., husk of corn;
sugar cane
Nyogo, »., stalk of com
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122
MENDEENGUSH VOCABULARY.
Nyogoin§,n.,camel. AWoru
word
NyQhu, n., seed com
Nyoko, plu. nyokofsia, n.,
kind, sort, maoDer; such
things, such of like kind.
De nyoko i peni wu hii ?
What carefulness has it
wrought in you ?
Nyolen, inten, adv., very.
Nje kolengo nyolen
N^omoi, n., the present
year. Nje i waa nygmoi
kpotSngo
NyonyQ, recip. pron,, each
other, one another, one
equal
Nyiike, adf, , shaking, trem-
bling. Ngi le i ye nyiike
Nyiima, tr, v., to chew, to
ruminate. Neglsia ta
tawei nyiima, Americans
chew tobacco. Ba nyii-
ma, to move the jaw.
Kikei a ngi ba hunyuma.
Nyumango le
0! interj\, an exclamation
of surprise
0, conj., if. Q nga p§l6. Used
in betting
Q, interrog. adv., where ? Q
bi ke ? Where (is) thy
father?
conj. or Q . . . Q, corrella-
tives, neither . . . nor.
Hlnd5 ji Qua, this or that
Q! inteiy. of strong disap-
probation or dissuasion.
Saa, no, by no means,
on no account. Ba wa
o, do not come
Oho ! exclam. of pleasure at
sudden remembrance or
knowledge obtained
Ombo ! exclam., reproof, re-
buke
Oya ! or oya maiye \ exclam.,
alas, sorrow, pity, grief,
woe
P = b = w, pa = ba = wa,
po = wo, etc.
Pa = ba = wa, tr. v., to
kill. Halei i pa. The
charm killed her. I nya
ba, He killed me. Ngi
wa va, to kill him ; to
kill by capturing, as
game; to destroy by
cutting, as tambe; to win,
as in a game ; to cut, as
of tools; to spend, as
time. Mu ngalu felf wa-
ni na
Pa, tr. v., to tell, to state,
to narrate
Pa, adv., describes drop-
ping; as, a hite pa pa pa
Pa, coming
Pa, tr. v., to form, to organ-
ize, as a society, party
Paga, tr. v., to pay; n.,
wages, compensation
Pall, w., channel, the
deeper part of a river;
n., depth. I pali hii
Pali, n., pearl. I pali yfk-
pea wokSli
Pama, n., a large spotted
amphibious li^rd
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULART4
123
Pama, n., ignana
Pamba, n,, screw pine
Pamo, comer
Pamo, w., destroyer
Panda, adv,, well, properly;
reduplicated. Panda-
wanda, it is intensive,
very well
Pangi, adj., long and slen-
der. Tife ke pangi pSngi
Panya, plu. panyisia, n,,
Spaniard
Papapoli, n,, grasshopper
Papf sia, n., lilies
Papiija, <idj\, spotted
Para, in gbowa para, filled
with madness
Pata, n., silver, pieces of
silver. I wa a pata nii
gboyongo mahii pui.
Pata navolsia, pieces of
money. Ti pata nav5-
isia wiimbu
Pati, tr, V.J to make a stew
of meat and vegetables.
Tango bati
Pawa, n,, mnd, mire
Pawa, n., reward, pay, pay-
ment ; and tr, v., to pay.
A nya pawa lo. NgS ngi
pawa. Bi ti pawa, and
pawa w3
Pe = we
Pe, adv., quickly, suddenly.
I gbia pe, at once
Pe and pelf = we and welf ,
tr, v., to do, to make, to
fulfil, to cause; to be
done, made. I pe, he has
done = he is guilty of it.
I pei lo id, he has done
fio. ' P$ kaka, make haste
PS-a-li, n., the stick sup-
porting the bait in a fall
trap
Pee, tr. v., to pateh
Pegba, w., the name of the
moon corresponding with
January
Pegbia, n., a shrub
Pegele, w., a herb used
medicinally
Pegi, ma pfgi lo na, if it
were possible
Pe-hinda = wf-hinda, do-
ing, conduct, character,
behaviour, custom, habit,
manner of doing. Pe
hinda nyamu, n., offence.
Pe hInda sansan, n.,
sincerity, pureness
Pfi = pen, adv., before,
first. ' Pei-la, before, then'
Peka = weka, def. st. pekei
*=wfkel; plu. ipekcuag*
= wekanga, pekaa = pe-
ka = wf ka, pekelsia =
wekeisia; other, Qthers;
the one, the other; the
remainder, the rest
Pfia, tr. v., to throw as a
spear, to fasten by throw-
ing, to kneel; to stick
up, to hoist, as kiila wii-
lima, a flag ; to confirm
Pela, tr. v., to complete, to
finish
Pf la, tr, v., to flee, to run
away
Pe-la, house-mouth, i.e.
door
Pfla-mo, one who flees,
fugitive
Pflf. /SeePf, todo^
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124
MENDE-EKGLISH YOGABXTLART.
Pele, n., road, path, way,
passage; means, occasion.
Pele fele hokpei
Pele, w., house ; a fish white
in colour. Pele-bu-mo.
Pele do-mo
Pele, tr. v,, to cover, to lay
npon, to stoop, to kneel.
Used of animals. Pele
ngi ma. Bi wele ndoi ma
Pele-hlnda. See Pe-hinda
Pelehii, n., acknowledgment
with intercession. I pe-
lehu 7ea
Pelehu, adj., closing up.
Pelehu boma
Peli, n,, egg-plant
Peln, adv., a large measure
or degree. Nyg a mba
pelu. Ti ngi wona peln
Pelu, intens. adv., very. Ko-
'lengo pelu-pf lu
Pen, adv.l before, first in
order
Pena, n., clay suitable for
pottery. Pfna-gbale,
potter's field
Pfndege, n., early rice
Pene,'n!, ringworm
Pengo be, as it were, aa
though
Peni-peni, adj\ pointed,
taperingly. Ngafona pe-
ni-p6ni
Pfpe, n., small kind of
shrimp
Pepe, adv. and adj.^ all,
often, continually
Pepeje, adv., completely,
very much
Pepe-jene, n., sauce from
partly decayed pfpf
Pepele, adj., long, pointed,
tall! Miji pepelengo.
Ngurui ke pele-p|le
Pepo, n., the lever stick
resting upon kakila and
supporting kposo in a
trap
Petu, n., a kind of cricket,
locust
Pewe, n., a species of mason
wasp
Pewulo, n., a small animal
of the musk rat species
Pi, adj., all through ; used
with kpindi. I yii lo
kpindi pi
Pi, adv., very much. Fl-
ndangopi. Inyaleweapi
Pill, tr. v., to throw, to
shoot, to spirt, to eject
Pime, Mr. v., to run, run-
ning. I ya a pime. Pime
vofoi, a race
Plnde, intr. v., to leap, to
jump, to pass over. I
jinji winde bei
Pinde mo, n., jumper,
leaper
Pindon, adv., steadily. I
gbf le pindon
Pinye, tr, v.', to open for-
cibly (used of the eye,
mouth, and hand) ; to cut
away. I ndogbo wiilo
lek^ binyeni
Piwi, n., porcupine
Piwi kpa, n., porcupine
quill
Piya, n., small basket, used
by fisherwomen to hold
fish
Po, adj., multiplied by
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
125
natural increase. Nj§
pongo
Po, adv., far away, distant.
Mia po. I ya mia po
po po. I 11 kenyei hil
po
Po, tr, v., to cut down with
an axe ; used with nwono,
denotes repetition of the
act. I ngi nwonaa po
po. Po i giila, cut it
down, or make it fall
Po = wo = wu, tr, v., to
open
Poe, w. and adj\, adultery;
adulterous. Po§ - gbia
hinda. Poemo, adulterer
Poelo, w., bastard, illegiti-
mate child
Po-kpa, v., a clearing with
trees felled
Pogoi, «., a species of wild
cat larger than nyangbe
Po-hani, n., that received by
inheritance, inheritance
Po-hani-jo-mo, n., heir
P5iyara, n., mat woven with
twisted threads, made by
men
Poju, adj\, elastic, tough
Poka, n., hoof
P6ka hiia, n., hoofed
animals
Poko, tr, v., to imitate, to
copy, to make good; n.,
form
Poko?
P6kpa, def. st. pokai
Po-kpele, w., the time for
cutting trees, preparatory
to sowing grain
PQla? Tenga ti polai, See
Mende Keading-book, p.
190
Pola, tr. and intr,, to spring,
as a trap ; to mistake, to
miss the mark. ngi
bola, Oh. I have made a
mistake I
Pole, adf,, dried up, dead.
Used of abortive gains
Pole, w., pus from the
eye
Polewe. ... I ndoi bolewea
Polf, n,, a kind of fish '
P61o, tr. v., to twist slightly
by rolling
Polo = poro, n,, earth, soil
Pol6n, adv. ,far, only. I ya
pbton. Ngi hitia be po-
t6n,* always, from of old ;
altogether; rather
Polove, w., dust-bin
Poma,' 71., corpse, dead body
of any kind. Pomagana,
n., coffin
P5ma, prep, adv., behind,
after, for, absent, with-
out; n., back, exterior,
outside. Poma nyan-
d§ngo kohu nyamungo-
ke i ye'ylo ti Jf tale
woma. Hinda = nyamu
gbi i gbiani pomo
Poma-mo, follower, dis-
ciple
Pqdl (?^ to promise. I pon
niigboyongo ye. He pro-
mised to give twenty, or
pon pSle ponei nugbo-
yongo ndenda va, twen^
pongs for a canoe
Pon, intens, adv. NJQmbo
pen
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126
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Pgna, tr. v., to straighten ;
adj., straight
Ponda, n., the fruit of a
tree used in marking the
body
Ponde, tr. v., to pinch or
cut off with the finger-
nails
Pgndi, n., prepuce, foreskin
Pondo, w., the moon corre-
sponding with December
P$ndo, w., slave child
Pond6-lo, n,, orphan
P^ndSya, n,, slavery,
orphanage
Po ngiiru, w., a tree cut
down
Ponje, tr. v,, to pull away,
to wrest from; to strip
off, as leaves. I ponjea
ngi yeya
Pono, tr, v., to suck
Ponu, n., a plant with
broad leaves and red
pods growing from the
root containing acid
pulp
P$nyaha, n,, wife by m-
heritance, the widow of
a deceased relative
P9pa, n., pond, pool, puddle,
ditch, lake
P$pa wa, w., lake, lagoon
Pop?, tr, v., to carry on the
back, as a child ; intr, v.,
to be swift, to be saved.
Miningo p9po va. Ti p6-
pOngo nama wu va
Popblf, n., a skin disease
that destroys the pig-
ment in spots
Poponda, n.,a sweet-scented
leaf in which fish are
wrapped for roasting
PQponye, tr. v., to pulverize
by heating, to break in
small pieces by falling
Poro, n., the great secret
society of the men
Poro = pQlo,n., soil, ground,
earth, dust. PQroge,that
which is earthy
Pgro-bill, n., Poro marks
upon the back of members
Pgro-haka, n., earthen
Pgro-kpuna, »., lumps of
sun-baked earth
Poro-ve, n., an African
earthen pot
Poro-yafa, n., Pgro-devil,
impersonation of their
ruling spirit
P^tf, tr, v., to turn, to
change, to translate, to
answer. Ti potea a ngO
yakpe, turn round, hence
to repent, to reply. P6tf
mani, need of change or
repentance
Pote, 7? ., a seed used for food
Pote and pot!, intens. adv,,
very. Kiil^ngo pote, very
little
Pote, tr, v., to mash by
squeezing in the hand
Pote-mo, n., interpreter
PotI, n., wine from ndiivu
wova (it flows abun-
dantly, but is not sweet) ;
a treacherous woman
Pgto, tr, v., to squeeze and
mash with the hand, like
pote
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MENDE ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
127
Poto mbe, (tdv.^ at all
Poto-poto, n., soft mud,
mire
Pova, intr, v., to float
Pove, intr, v., to tnm back
P^wa, adj, and n., grey;
flower. Ngtiru bbwa.
Powoi, grey hair
Po wele, to cut Wood
Powi,' n., reed
Powo, w., pigeon, dove
Pow5, n,y sad; light, not
heavy, unsubstantial, of
little influence, dis-
graced, adulterous. Powo
yla le, blasphemous lan-
guage
Powo, adj. and n., heavily.
Ngi yii lo powo, any-
thing of unusual size.
Powo wai ji
Powo, n., drops of dew that
fafl from the trees
Powo-mo, n., vagabond
P5wo, interj,, woe !
P5wo-bonda, n., adulterous
generation
Powoge, adj., foolish ;
masterly way, manner
Powo-hinda, n., unclean-
ness
Powongo, to be accursed
Poya* plo- poyelsia, n., a
thick water-turtle, tor-
toise
Pgya-b9lo, w., shell of the
poya used in the Poro
Poyia, 7?., a word which the
people of old left to us,
tradition
Pii, def. St. piii ; . plu. pua,
piiisia; num. adj\, ten.
PUge, ordin., the tenth
also p^gelf
Pii and pupii. Mens, adv,
very; as, kSlengo piipiij
very white
Pii = wu = bii, tr. v., to putj
to add. Ti punga ngi
wii-mba. They put it on
his head. To throw out
= to spit; to pull out.
Piia-kpia lo, shall be
rooted out. To lay, as
eggs. Ta ngalu wii na
lolu, ke ti tengo ta pii
s&wa lek§
Pu, n., the cavity in an
ants' nest underground
where they store food
Pu, tr. v., to put, to pour,
to spill, to spit, to sow
and cover the seisd
Pii, w„ European
Pu, adv., suddenly, quickly.
Used of making egress.
I gbia pu
Piibii, intr, v., to fly as birds
and insects
Ptt-dolu, n., cocoa-nut =
white man's nut
Pii-gbolo, n,, white man's
salt => sugar
Pu-gipo gale, a grain of
mustard seed
Piija, tr, v., to dig, to loosen
the soil as in tillage, to
plough
Piije, n., pepper
Piije-vofo, w., a small insect
that, flying into the eye,
causes a smarting pain
like that of pepper
Piikpia, tr, v., to uproot, to
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128
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Rluck up by the roots.
Nguru ji wukpia
Pula, adv., flashingly.
Ngombni a vo pula
Pule, intr. v,,_ to burst.
Sani bulia. I buleni, to
cry suddenly. I bulea a
Ago
Pu-lo-hu, in white man's
country
Pulu, n., bowels, guts
Pulu-wui, n., pine-apple
Puma, plu. pumesia, i.q. wu-
ma, wumesia/w., storing-
place. Puma I ti yeya,
kpuya I ti yeya
Pumo, n,, white man, A
term applied to all edu-
cated persons, white or
black
Pumu, n., the place where
something is put down
Pumumo, n., a person whose
eyes are dim
Pundi, n., mosquito
Pupende, »., water-lily
Pupu, n., small red ants;
intern, adv,, very, as,
kolengo pupu
Pupuni, 71., pelican
Puru dolu = pu-dglu
Puru-gbuko, n., white
man's bed
Puru-nyenye, n., intestines
Puru mo, w., white person
Puru wa, n., gut
Puru-yia, n., language of
white people
Puu, adv.y dimly. A hani
do ke puu
Pu-yla, n., white man's
language. Ngi l$ni bi
na w5te pu yla hti, I want
you td translate this into
English
K
The letter r never com-
mences a word in the
dialect we have adopted ;
there is, however, adialect
in which I is heard instead
of r, as ro = lo. The
custom is very general,
so that either letter may
be chosen. In cases
where r is found within
the word, the word itself
is adopted from other
languages, or is dropped
in Mende; as, Kara, to
teach, is more frequently
contracted into Ka
Euma = luma, to be willing,
to yield, to consent to
Eumbe, to be noisy in
talking^ to bawl out, to
bully
S
S=j, sa=ja
SSr =ja, sa or ja-h&ni, n.,
sacrifice, offering; sacri-
ficial. SSr gbia, tr, v., to
offer a sacrifice
Sa, adv., quickly, at onoa
Hije sa, got up at once
Sdbu,* n., good conduct,
kindness. Wu sabu gQ ?
ungrateful (?)
Sdgblala, verb, n,, sacri*
ficing
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MENDE-ENGLISH YOCABULARY.
129
Sagblama, n,, the place
where the sacrifice is
offered = altar
Sago and Sao, adv., no, not.
Sdgo ngi mamani
Saha = sasa, adv. and adj.,
clearly, plainly ; clear,
bright, just, true, righ-
teous
Sahein, adv., freely, openly ;
and sahai. lye sahai, it
may be sure
Sahu, n., protection, help,
assistance. A pe lo
Ngewo jahu
Saja,*w., an open basket,
either large or small
Saki, n., dagger ; pointed
Saki-ha-mo, a person killed
or dying by a dagger
Saki-mo, n., a person pos-
sessed of a dagger
Sala, adv., equally to all.
A kokole wu gbi lia
sala
Sale, n., parable, illustra-
tion, similitude, proverb.
I sale hea
Sali, n.', fiin, sport.. I sale
giilao, levity. Ngi sali
lo gulani ?
Sa-lo, n., the name given
to* the first-bom of twins
Salo and sarQ, n,, sweet
orange
Salon, Sierra Leone
Sama, n., a person of rank
through wealth or power,
headman, chief ; an
agreement by which meat
is divided, each pur-
chaser agreeing to pay
a definite sum within a
specified time
Sama-hani, n., genteel con-
duct, behaviour
Sama lakpao or sama lagba
lo, plu. samalaga lolsia,
young nobleman, prince,
person of rank
Samba = jamba, tr. v., to
give or send a present
to a friend. Also with
hani
Samba, n., a broad open
basket, lily, a present ; a
leading Sande member
who, dressed in leaves,
appears in the town and
assembles the girls for
initiation
Sambele, n., a kind of vege-
table sauce, a palaver
sauce
Sambo, tr. v., to disgrace,
to dishonour, to shame,
to reproach; shameful
Sande, n., the great female
society into which nearly
all girls are initiated
and receive new names;
a religious institution
in which females are in-
structed in singing, draw-
ing, and other things, and
undergo some kind of
. circumcision. The Sande
is to females what the
Po or Poro is to males
(see Koelle's Vai Gram-
mar, p. 209)
Sande-jowo, n., the Sande
member of highest rank
Sande-yiiO, n., one whose
K
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130
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULAKY.
Sande initiation is just
complete
Sangama, n,, tripod nsed
in supporting a weaver's
harness
Sangba, n,, bunch, as of
b^ads in the market
Sangba, n., a conical drum
lieat with the hand
Sange, adv., lately
Sangi, adv., quickly, soon.
Nga pe lo sangi
Sani, w.,* bottle, vial, jar,
decanter, lamp chimney
Sansanb^Ia, those that are
perfect or sanctified
Sansangg, n., ancerity
Sansango le, to be sancti-
fied
Saofyaka, n,, south
Sapele, n., the space be-
tween the two upper
front teeth
Sapinda, an English word,
carpenter
Sasa (see Koello's Vai
Grammar, p. 210), a
musical instrument in
which large beads are
fastened; also called y&sa
Sasalo, n., a kind of bush
fowl like kgkoye, but
having red legs
SasI, fr. v., to treat con-
temptuously, to ridicule
Sat9, n., a plant used for
greens
Sawa, n,, law. rule of action,
commandment. Sawalsia
Sawa, num. adj., three.
Sawa^^le, the third
Sawa, f i, n., great man
Sawe, io b^ lawful. I sawf
ma lo. 1 sawe ma
Sawo, neg, adv,, no
Se=je
Se. adv., very much. Ngi
ngi maneni lo sf. Se, n.,
a while
Se, indef. pron., same; as,
ta se, the same
Se, n.', thanks. I se-gbia
ngi ma mehei va. To
congratulate, ngi se-gbia
bi ma ka. Ke mahei i
se-gbia nde nya-loi 'ma
ndengo va. Then the king
congratulated his brother
concerning his daughter
and her children
Segbiila, n., a rattle formed
of a calabash with a loose
netting of beads
Sege, sewe, adj., clean, pure,
just, upright. Ngi li ya
sege
Segengo, to be pure
Seini, w., calloo
Seje, tr, v., to slice thinly
Seje, n., a small kind of
porcupine having long
spines or quills upon his
tail
Sejia, tr. v., to shake. Fefei
i tifesia jejia
Sekenaa, ei, n., graveyard,
burial-place
Sekpende, n., a greyish
hawk
Sekiilo« n., a fleet speckled
hawk
Sele, se, adj. and adv., the
same; surely, well, some
time
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MEKDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
131
Sell, w., witness; witnessing.
S§li hou, to bear witness
Sell* 71., Mahommedan
prayer
Seli, n., banana
Selimo, n., a witness. Seli
hei Willi, w., judgment-
seat. Sell hinda, w., judg-
ment. Sell hinda pe, to
judge
Seli-yala, w., a mat upon
which a Mahommedan
always kneels in prayer
Sema, n., a tree
S^male, w., fresh, clean palm
oil '
Sembe, adj., of medium
size, neither large nor
small ; more, most
Sembengo, w., to be grown
up
Seme, n,, a house with open
sides for public assem-
blies ; barrie, in Mampa
Semela, n,, bench
Semomo, w., brother of the
husband, or sister of the
wife or husband
Sen, adv. J completely. Fande
i gboyoa sen; certainly
Sfnde, intr.'v.y to run in
streams, to pour
Sendu or Sondu, tr, v., to im-
precate evil from a fetish
or other representative
of spirits, to curse
Sene, n., food from fish or
meat caused to partly
decay before being used
Sene or seneu, v., expresses
desire to greet by shaking
hands
Sengbe, w., cock's comb
Sengbe, n., aside, askance
and with a frown. Ba
nya gbele a jengbe
Sengbele,*aG?v., reluctantly,
with dragging footsteps
Senge, adv., loudly. Ndopoi
a gbao senge
Senge-senge, adj.y collected,
Mgneisia ti nya ya senge-
senge
Sewe, n., Mahomedan amu-
let usually consisting of
extracts from the Koran
Sewiilo, 72., a small animal
Si, 71., the palm nut or ivory
top spun in the game of
Sigo
Sia, tr. v., to rub over, to
anoint, to paint,to amuse;
n., ointment
Sla-wiilo, n.y ointment
Siha, tr. v., to lend, to bor-
row. Nya jiha a hani
ji. Bi hani ji jiha nya
a yeya
Sikili,' adj. and ado., many,
numerously, thickly. Mbe
wu sikili. Konga yando
sikili
Sikoude, ti., a small bird
having a varied plumage
and pleasing song
Sikpe, 71., testicle greatly
enlarged by elephantiasis
Sila, adv., entirely, com-
pletely, fully
Silo, n.y spider
Sil5-bete, 7i., a staging built
against the inside of the
barricade for workmen
Silo-boma, n.^ spider's net
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132
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Silo-lando (ndando) spider's
web
Silo lo gba-mo, the spider
burns his farm ; the name
given to the whirlwind
Silo-ta, w., spider's town,
nest
Simongama, n., incest
Sina, w., to-morrow; but also
used for an indefinite
future time
Sina ndamhuai, n,, the day
after to-morrow
Sim, n., a small insect that
causes certain cutaneous
eruption
Sinji and tsintsi, w., plate,
platter
Sipa, n., a stick used to
raise and move forward
long grass or shrubs as
they are cut, lever
Sipe, adj,, large, heavy
Sio, exclam. of slight, con-
tempt = never mind, do
not care
So =jo
So = jo, tr, v., to receive, to
get, to obtain
So, n., horse. See Mende
'Vocabulary (1874)
So, n., small cicatrices made
in lines or patterns upon
the body for beauty
So, adv., quite to, all the
way, as far as. Bi hitii
lo te hii so?
So, n'y spirit, temper, dis-
position, heart
So, def. St. soe and soei. Ke
ti wa a s6i ngi y|,* Then
they came with the horse
to him = they brought,
etc. ; and i he so^i mahu
SQgbe, tr, v., to examine
closely by looking, to
observe
Sogbo, adf., plenty, many.
Ti ninanga malea sogbo
So-ha, n,, mare
Sg-hani, what is obtained,
possessions, goods, trea-
sures
So-hina, »., stallion
Soi, adv,y whole. I ti doni
fo yela SQi
Soi-ioi', as, wu jia a soisoi,
walk circumspectly
Sojo, n,, hiccough
Sqjo, tr. v., to force in, to
stuff, to calk, to charge
Sokele, n., a small sparrow-
like bird, several of which
seem to dwell in the same
nest
Soki, adv., high, loftily.
*Ndavengo soki. gi
wHndie felenga soki
Soko, tr'. v., to sew with
"long stitches, to baste
Sgkole-giilu, n., a flock of
s5k5le; the seven stars
called Pleiades
Soko, n., Mahommedan
charm, amulet or fetish
worn upon the neck
Sgku, adj., crooked, wind-
ing, bent Pelei jokungo
Sokuihii,nja-jokui, n.,cape
Sgle, n., tar, the odour of fish
and other water animals
Sole, n. and v., noise, sound,
shout; to sing loudly, to
shout over
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULAEY.
133
Solema, n,, loudly adver-
tising the wickedness or
reputed character of a
person. Ta solema w^
ngima
Solema-mo, n,, one who
loudly sings or foolishly
plays
Soli, w., prepuce, foreskin
Solimp, n., a man not cir-
cumcised
So-lo, n., young horse; and
so-yio, w., colt
Sols, adj., young, immature.
Nwoni joloisia
Solo, n,, the style of shaving
the head except a small
portion upon the crown
Solo, adv., by the side of,
touching the next one
Solo, tr. v., to get, to obtain,
to receive, to marry. I
nyaha joa
Solo, n., getting, obtaining,
possessing, reception,
marriage
Solo-hani, w., possessions,
property
Solo-kpondi, n., small red
glass beads
Solo nyamu, adj., evil, dis-
honest, treacherous
Sglo-wanda, adj., good,
honest, upright
Sgmbo, tr. v., to assemble,
to meet together; con-
vened. Mu jomboa hinde
ji
Sombu, n., a, small animal
whose bones are highly
valued as amulets or
Sgmo, n., stomach or crop
of birds
Son, adv., entirely
Sgnde, n., Sunday, sabbath
SQude, n., an expression of
contempt, made by draw-
ing air through the teeth
Sondo, n., noose made with
sliding knot; to shut
with a noose ; to tie, as
the mouth of a bag, to
gather
Sondo-bolo, n., bag closed
with a sliding string
Sondo-higbe or sondo gohii
gbale, n., dysentery
Sgndu, n. and v., impreca-
tion, curse ; to imprecate,
to curse by a fetish
Sondu, tr. v., to pluck fruit
with a pole, to thrust, to
pierce with a spear
Sondu-gbia, tr. v., to recall,
to curse; the curse im-
precated
Sondu gonu, n., a native axe
inserted as a chisel into
a long handle for cutting
palm nuts
Sondu-wua, tr. v., to swear
upon a fetish, to curse by
a fetish, to imprecate evil
upon through the power
of a fetish
Songba, n. and v., bill, beak ;
to pick, to eat as a bird,
to snatch
Songba, nga giila, n., an
ejaculatory supplication
to the spirits, used by
members of the Pgro
when in danger of falling
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134
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Songo, ^rcjp., instead of;
thing of equal value, just
return, recompense. Nga
isgngoi yama lo. Ti so-
ngo yama wu we
Sgnya, adv., slowly, heavily.
A hije Sony a
Sonya, v, and 7^., to mildew;
mildew
So-nyanu, adj., bad, evil,
ugly, vicious
Sowi, adv., too near. I loi la
sgwl
Sowi, tr, v., to fear. I jowia
ngi ma
Sowo = BOO = sowa, n., the
chief ruler in a society,
as the Sande
Sowo or Sande nga gula,
n., an ejaculatory suppli-
cation to the spirits, used
by members of the Sande
when in danger of falling ;
the same as songba, nga
giila, above
So-yekpe, adj.^ good, kind,
favourable, trustworthy
Su = ju
Su, n., fast, as held by
Mahommedans, who ab-
stain from food by day,
but eat at night
Siia, n. and adj., lascivious-
ness ; lascivious. Siia
henga
Subu, def. St. siibui; plu.
siibua and siibuanga,
siibuisia ; (tiger) lion.
Niimu gbi e giia kpia la*
ngiye ma na subu ngi
makeni, No one is able to
take it down except such
a one as a lion has brought
up
Subu-ha, def. st. subu hei,
n., lioness
Siibu-hina, def. st. hinei,
n.y lion
Siiesiie, adj., upright, vir-
tuous, chaste, circum-
spect
Siigbe (notMende), w.,camel
Siigbu, n., tiger
Siigbu, n., a cutaneous
disease appearing in a
whitish, itching corrup-
tion
Suhi, masc. suha, n, fem.,
horse. Suhlna;siihinanga
Sii-hou, tr. v., to fast, ob-
serve a fast
Siii, adv., completely, no-
thing omitted. I kpgyoa
a njie le la siii
Siika, w.,'a kind of fetish
used for obtaining wealth
Siikulu = jiikulu, tr. v., to
squander, to spend fool-
ishly, to waste
Siile, n., waterfall, rapids ;
to run noisily
Siile, tr. v., to smart, as the
pain from pepper applied
to the skin
Siisii, adj, deep. Nje sii-
sungo, secretive. Ngi
gohui siisungo
Siiwa, n., an ambuscade.
A siiwa hei pele hii
Siiwa-wa, n., one supposed
to possess so powerful
a fetish that he dares
with impunity the power
of other fetishes
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135
T
Ta, pron.j 3 per., neg., he,
she, it not; they not,
they must not. Ko ta
nde nu gbi ma. That
they should not tell any
one
Ta, proTi., 3 per., he, she, it ;
they. Ta lo a, he it is
who. Ta lo a nyaha jo
lo, he it is = the same,
shall have the. woman.
Ta lo, expressive of de-
sign or consequence, that
he may ; so that
Ta, conj., and. Tamo yela
ta boilopoi, a certain man
and (his) servant
Ta, contraction for ta ta,
also for ta ya. Koloi
ta ji
Ta, def. st. tei = da, dei, n.,
town, nest, burrow,
honeycomb, skull, blad-
der, scabbard. Tfisia and
tateisia, towns,* coasts,
regions. Ta jisia ta telsia.
They went from town to
town. Generally with wa,
great. Ta loni, they
built. Ta-wai-mo, plu.
.b61a, w., citizen. Tade,
n. citizen; plu., tadesia.
Ke tadisia ngi dei hu.
But the citizens of his
town
Ta, prep.f with
Ta, def. st. tai = da, dai, n.,
calabash; also taga, n,,
calabash
Tabao, conj., neither
Tadi, n., citizen
Tagba, adj., fermented,
sour from fermentation,
sour
Tagbale, n., town's broom,
loafer
Tagbango, it is sour
Tagbasa, w., an unbarri-
caded town
Tagoko, 71., a desolated
town with the houses
standing
Taja, 7^., a bat intermediate
in size between ndeve
and toka
Take, adv,, describes the
dropping of water. A
hite take-take
Takpa, adv., continually.
Nje a ve lo takpa
Tala, adj., green, unripe,
unmellow
Tala, intr. v., to creep as a
child. Ndolai a iala
Talo w., grandchild
Tama, adj., foolish, prodi-
gal, vain
Tama, n., disappointment,
deception. Wa tama de
nya ma
Tama-hinda, n., foolishness,
prodigality, vanity
Tama-mo, w., a person
who acts foolishly, pro-
digally
Tambe, n., thorny ratten,
a species of palm
Tambo, tr. v., to stretch, to
straighten. Bi lokoi
lamb5, ke i tambonga
Ta-mia, that is it, so it is ;
conj,, therefore
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABY.
Tando-wulu, n., cotton
tree
Tanga, w., cassada
Tani, intens. adv., com-
pletely. Nje a ye kpiti
ma tan!
Tao, adj., describes the taste
not quite pleasant
Tara, adj., slow in accepting,
unwilling to believe
Tara-bania, n,, creeping
things
Taso, n., the chief of the
Poro
Ta-ta, he and he = together
Tato, tr. v., to praise, com-
mend '
Tato, tr. v., to begin, to
commence
Tatoma, n., beginning, com-
mencement, origin
Tau, def. st. taui, plu. taua,
taulsia, num. adj., nine
Taugele, ordin. num., the
ninth
Tava, adj., shrivelled, tough,
emaciated. Niimui ke
tava
Tave, n., tobacco pipe
Tawa, n., tobacco. Tawa-
vuka, tobacco ground =
snuff
Tawa, n., forehead, gable,
brow of a hill
Taya tayeisia, n., tares
Te, vron., 3 per. plu., neg.
(?), they not, they can or
will not
Te = de, def. st. lei =
dei ; plu. tea = dea, and
tenga, tengelsia; domes-
tic fowl
Te, pers. pron.^ neg., they ;
affirm., te
Te, tr. v., to raise up, to
elevate, to go up, to
climb, to leap upon, lift
up
Te, adv., almost, nearly;
intens., te te te, indicat-
ing continued action
Te, n,, game of skill played
with seeds upon the
tegoko
Te, adj., little; as, 15 te,
leave a little, a little is
wanting
Tebe, n., a leathern girdle
of oval form
Tee, they saying, saying
Tegale, n., seed used in
playing te
Tegbo, n., a kind of sore
that affects the toe
Tego, tr. v., to play te
T|goko, n., a piece of wood
with twelve cup-shaped
hollows in two parallel
rows, upon which te is
played
Teguli, (John viii. 3)
Te-ha, n., hen
Te-hina, plu. hinanga, n.,
cock. Te hiuei g^kolfa.
The cock is crowing *
Tehii, adj., disobedient, in-
subordinate
Tehu gbia, tr. v., to dis-
obey, to transgress
Tehii we, tr. v., to disobey
Tfina, n., a grown-up girl,
a young woman. Tfiua
and tenina, n., a virgin
Tf inaya, n., virginity
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MENDE-ENQLISH VOCABULARY.
137
Te-jingbe, «., comb of a
cock
Tfka, n., coal of fire; a
whitish film over the
pupil of the eye, darken-
ing the sight ; coal
Teka, tr, y., to burn. Kpu-
nye a deka
Tekome-tfnjama,n.,worship
of the spirit at the grave
a few days after inter-
ment
Tekpe, n., basket with
cover
Tekpe-w5-mo, contracted
from tekpe-wopo-mo,
one who carries a basket
Teli, tr, v, and adj,, to
blacken; black
Tell ndiiwu, w., black skin
Tellngo, to be black. Tell-
mo, w., black person.
Telingo kpi, very black
Tema, temba, tr. v., to heap
up. PQwi demba. Mb§
fayango dema, to collect.
Navo demba
Temba', n., sharpened sticks
or /rise set in a ditch
for defence
Temu, tr. v., to decide in
favour, to allow the claim,
to acquit, to justify in
court. Tl bi demuni.
Ti bia lo lemuni
Temu, n., imaginary small
beings in human form,
supposed to dwell in the
bush
Temu-gale, n,, an article
given in acknowledging
the accusation and soli-
citing pardon. Temu le,
to be in the right
Tende, n., long red stone
bead made in the inte-
rior
Tende, n., banana
Tene, w., Sunday as ob-
served in the interior of
the country
Tenga, adj., some; part.,
correl. some . . . some.
Lenga . . . lenga
Tenga, adv., perhaps; it may
be. Tenga a 11 lo. Nga
lenga we foloi gbi, I do
some every day
Tenga, prep., towards. Wa
nya denga
T^nga, adj. and adv., an
equal ; peer ; opposite.
Ngurui i te tenga. Tenge
lo, over against
Tenga, plu. of te, fowl
Tenga-joa, n,, partakers.
Tengo jo, to partake
Tengoma, n., lump, mass
Tenina-pu, n., the ten
virgins
Tenjama, n., worship of the
spirit with an offering of
food on the third day
after the interment of a
female, and on the fourth
day after the interment
of a male
Tete, tr. v., to hatch, as eggs ;
to crack with light
strokes, as nuts
Tete, 71., vulva
Tetele, adj., shallow, simple.
Ngi nemahii ye tetele
Teteni, ^contracted from
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MENDE-EXGLISH VOCABULARY.
teteweni, intens, of tewe,
cut np into small pieces
Teve, adj., thin
Teve-leve, very thin
Tevi, tr, v., to bum to black-
ness
Tevi, n., medicine from
spiders' webs blackened
by smoke
Tevijo, n., painting upon
the skin in black by
cutting and rubbing with
a certain leaf
Tewe and tee, n., forbidden
food. Menei ji tewe mu
va. I njie lewe nu ive
T§we, tr, v., to cut, to cut
off, to circumcise; to cross
over, to pass by, to live
through, to decide, to
judge, to overcome. Mu
lewema ejo, we overcame,
we triumphed. Tewema
gbayei, the excellency of
the power
Tewe, 71., bush-goat
Tewema, tr. v., to surpass,
to' excel. I dewea ngi
maji
Tewe-mo, n., cutter, reaper
T|we ndia, tr, v., to cut
asunder or in the midst ;
to cut, severing the body
at a stroke
Tewengo, conj\, moreover.
*Ke tewengo ji ma, but
besides ' this. Me ye
nyamu tewengo, we are
not the' worse; more
especially. Followed by
ma, it expresses the com-
parative
Tf we-tewe, intens. v., to cut
repeateclly
Tewe-wele, n., access. Ma
tewe w^le joa
Tewu,' n., plialm nuts
T|wu yombe, w., immature^
undeveloped palm nuts
Tewui, n,, wild cow, large
black and red
Tl, pron., 3 per. plu., neg.,
they not, did not
Ti, pron., 3 per. plu., affirm.,
they, theirs, them
Ti, n., island; chief of a
town or country. Te ji i
tl lo mi? Tl-hu, on an
island
Tl&fpron,, 3 per. plu., they.
Tia lo yima
Tie, pron,, 3 per. plu., used
with a preceding, a tif ,
them
Tifa, plu. tifanga, n., leaf,
grass, shrub, gourd. Olea
riei, the castor-oil plant
Tigbe, n., steel
Tigbl, tr. v., to lean upon ;
to bring to the shore, as a
canoe ; to land
Tigbima, n,, landing-place
Tijo, n,, a hard wood tree
Tika-trka, adv., softly,
softly; staggeringly. A
jia tika-tika
Tikpo, r>., cane, staff of
authority, reed
Tikpo, tr. v., to debate, to
dismiss
Tila, w.,hale wai, made from
the end of an elephant's
trunk
Tili, adj., describes the taste
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
139
of certain nnripe fruits.
Sell ke till. Tilitilingo,
sour, unripe fruits
Timi-timi, adj., numb. Ngi
lokoi i ye timi-timi
Tin, adv., closely, steadily,
earnestly. A nya gbele
tin
Tinda, pron., 3 per. plu.,
their own
Tin do, n., a bird
Ting6, 71., a spirit repre-
sented to be in the form
of a woman with long
hair and dwelling in the
water; mermaid
Tingon, adv.y attentively.
Ta wolo tingon
Tiso = diso, intr, v., to
sneeze
Titill, adj., speechless ; to be
of a heavy heart ; tough
and yielding. Bogbo ye
titili
Titimi, n., cramp
Ti-ti-ti, intens. adv., used
with "hugbindi," repre-
sents the deafening sen-
sation produced by a loud
voice
Tiva, adj., describes the
shaking of a leaf. Agbeli
tiva-tiva
Tivo, tr. v., to dent ; turned
in, as the flesh cut by a
dull knife
Tiwi, tr. v., to close the
hand or eye ; to wrap in a
parcel. Ti yamelsia ti
tiwia, Their eyes have
they closed
TiwI, w. and adj., parcel,
package, bundle ; tied up,
enclosed
TiwI, some kind of fruit ; as,
ta tlwl me
Tiwo, n., the terminal grow-
ing leaf yet unrolled.
Mana llwo
Tlye = tewf , n., abstinence,
and the articles of food
deemed forbidden
To, tr. v., to increase acute-
ness of smell by apply-
ing stimulants to a dog^s
nose
To, tr. v., to see, to perceive,
to feel, to suffer. Mone i
nyadoa.. To = do; toni =
doni. Ngi tonga, I have
seen. I nya donga. He has
seen me. Wabitova. Na
mu toa a mu yamelsia. Na
lek^ mia le ni tonga, that
only it is = that is all I
have seen
T5, tr. v., to send. Ngi bi
donga, I have sent thee.
Ngi ngi toma lo tei hii.
To follow with woma, as
it were to see one's back.
To nya woma, follow me.
To point, to aim, to point
out. To put in, to give, as
the breast to a child. Bi
nyoni do ngi la. To stand,
to piake to stand, hence
to erect, to build, to
edify. To light a torch,
to bring up as a goat,
tanjedo. To mould from
clay,*ta fe do. To raise
upon the skin, soi do nya
ma
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140
MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
To or towele, w., house bnilt
. over the grave in worship
of the dead
Tggbe,w., young, immature :
as, nika dggbe. I togbei,
the younger. Applied to
living beings
To^bo, tr, v., to soak, to boil
till very soft
Togbiii,>., persons called by
the same name; men
whose wives are sisters
Tohani, w., domestic ani-
mals, creatures. NuDga
ta, tahu dohani me lo
Tohani mahu-gbe-mo, w.,
keeper of cattle, etc.
Tohani-mo, w., owner of
cattle
Tohani wama, w., the place
where creatures are
slaughtered
Tohe, tohee, and tohene,
intr, v., to cough; n,,
cough. I dohenea
Tohe-gale, n., mucus ejected
by coughing
Tohe ma, coughing. Nya
nyaha loi lo doheni
Tohii, n.j corner, hip-joint
Toje, adv.y forcibly. I nya
h|ia toje
Toka, w., a large bat
measuring across the
wings about eighteen
inches
Toke, adv., softly, noise-
lessly, quietly, secretly
Toko, w., hand, paw, fore-
foot, arm
Toko-hina, lit. male finger,
i,e, thumb
Toko hii hoa, closed = il-
liberal hand
Toko la, n., wrist
T6k5 ma viili, n., finger-
ring
Toko-woma, outer or back
of the hand
Toko wongo, an open =
liberal hand
Toko-yio, w., finger, thumb
Tgkpo, w., palm tree pro-
ducing the oil and kernels
of commerce
Tgkpo-lo, n.f palm wine, the
sap of the tree drawn out
and fermented, leaven
Tgkpo-vale, n., mushroom
growingupon the roots of
the palm tree
Tgkpiila, w., stem, bottom,
anus
Tola, w., bean
Tola, w., tunnel, funnel
Tola, 7?., a response used by
men to their superiors
To le-higbe, w., a wasting
desease of the testis. A
hei nil ygvai ma i me
Toll = doll, tr, V,, to call, to
call after, to name. Nu-
mui na doll mbf , Call that
person to me. Toli we or
wele, to raise aery, w., call-
ing, vocation. Ngi doli bei
Toli, n., kidney
T5lo, w., leech ; awning in a
large canoe
Tolo, adj., great, large in
bulk. Nil mui ji ya tolo-
tolo
Tolo genge, n,, water wag-
'tail
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
141
Tolo hinda, w., variance
T516, toloma, n,, kola nut ;
jealousy, hatred
Tolo-wulu, n., kola nut tree
Tglu, n., palm nuts after the
oily coating has been re-
moved, palm kernels,
cocoa nuts
Toma, w., envy
T6ma, tr, v., to hate, to
despise; ac^/., quarrelsome,
jealous
Toma, n,, bait, meaning,
'signification, message
Toma, w., place of standing,
building, etc.
Toma hani, w., abomination,
desolation
Toma-hinda, «., envy,
jealousy, malice
Tomahiimo, n., overseer of
building, etc.
Tombe, n., example
Tombe, n., false report of
death
Tombo, n., ruins of a town
T6mbo, adj., marked with
spots; spots. Tombongo,
to be deserted
Tombo, w., mullet fish
Tombu, n., one being taught
to sing
Tomo, n., builder, etc.
T5mo, w., messenger
Ton, n., forty bars
Tondo, w., common large
house-rat
Tone, tr, v., to tickle
Tonga, tr, v., to put together,
to join together
Tonga and tongo, adv., ac-
cording to ; and tongama
T^nga-to, to light, as a
torch'
Tongoro, n., a kind of
divination used to search
out cannibals
Tongo, n., brass, brass
kettle ; adj., brazen.
Tongo faji ; tongo wongo,
sounding brass
Tgngoni, n., plant used as
tobacco
To nya, 71., truth ; adj., true,
just, right, righteous.
Tonyani, to have been
faithful. Tgnya nwe,
very certain
Tq nya-hlnda, n., righteous-
ness, justice, truthful-
ness. Hou tgnya, to
believe. Tonya hinda
houla. Tgnya hinda we
To nya mo, just, true, righ-
teous person.
Tg nyango, to be true, faith-
ful,ju8tified. Tidgnyango
gele Ngewo yam a
Tgnya-we-'mo, n., justifier
Tgnyo, tr. v., to contract, to
curl ; to assume a rumpled
form, as new cloth
Topo, v., to follow, de-
signing to aid ; to plead
for, to support
Topoma-mo = woma-mo,
7/., follower, disciple
Totangi, n., a trap to catch
birds
Tgte, tr. v., to fasten a cloth
about the loins, as men ; to
gather ; to gather up spilt
rice
Tgto, tato, tr. v., to begin
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Totogbe, tr, v., to search
out by the use of magic
art
Totomo, yibaomo, n,,
magician, sorcerer
TotoDjo, w., wrinkles
Tove, adv., very. I waa nya
gbela tove
Towa, n,, pumpkin
Towa, n., a kind of monkey
T6wa, w., a forked tree or
limb ; to fork, to branch
Towa-towa wiilu, w., a
much-branched tree
Towa-wiil5, n,, a species of
gazelle
Towo, w., fame, notoriety,
report
Town, w., a palm nut in its
perfect state
Tgya, n., a red berry grow-
ing in clusters
Toye, tr, v., to think, to
imagine : compound of to
and ye. Kpande wiilu
moi a to ye ndlnga mla.
Kina koli me nini a toye
hiia mla a kpawo. Ta
tp-te ti kula ho-moi wa.
Ngi ye to gbekpongo, I
thought it good
Tiia-wiilo, plu. tiia weleisia,
n,, bush goat
Tiie-tue, adv., slowly, A
jia tiie-tiie
Tugba, tr, v., to strike
heavily against, to stub,
to ring, to bite a hook, to
stumble. Tiigba wiikpe,
n., stumbling-block
Tiipo and tiiwo, adv., be-
fore. I wai lo nya liigo
Tuhani, n., seed for sowing
or planting; plant
Tiihani hl-mo, n,, sower
TiikpS, tr, v,, to push, to
shove, to move along ; to
drive to
Tukpo, v., to have a
palaver, to quarrel
TiUl, n., a species of mole
with long nose and strong
' scent; gnat with a long
snout
Tiima, w., a response of
Sande members to each
other
Tiima yela, n., one will,
consent
Tiimbe, intr. v., to talk
loudly, to scold. I ti
molia a tiimbe yla, He
asked them by an inter-
preter
Tumbu, n,, a person of very
short stature, dwarf
Tumu, n,, shark
Tiinu, adv,, too, too much.
Nge li la minmgo liinu,
I cannot carry it, it is too
heavy
Tiipu, n,, snake, a species
of viper
Tiipu-nye, n., a fish re-
sembling the tiipu
Tiitu, n.,messenger between
lovers
Tiiva, intr, v., to remain
through the day, to tarry
a long while
Tuwo and tiio, to see before
one ; and tiiwo ma, here-
after. Ke i le'wea tiiwo a
pimf , and he Wu before.
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143
I tuwo hinda Mgea, He
showed forth future
events = prophesied
Tuwoma yia lela, pro-
phesying. I de'wea liigo,
He passed before. Tu-
woma yia le-mo, prophet,
foreteller
Tiiwomo, w., guide
T = f, va = fa
Va = fa, prep, and conj,, of,
^or, on account of, about,
concerning, against, for
the sake of, to, in order
to
Va, tr. v., to make obeisance,
to prostrate, to worship,
to salute, to welcome, to
visit, to call upon, to
shake hands, to send
regards, to show respect
by presents
Va, tr, v., to dispute, to
quarrel
Vabai, adv., , large and
shapeless. Ngi wiii va-
baingo
Vaha, n,, herd, flock.
Mbala vahei ti Taya hu,
The flock of sheep shall
be scattered
Vahango, to flock together
Vakango, to bo strong or
strengthened
Vala, tr, v., to trust in, to
rely upon. I Talai lo ngi
mbai ma. Ko mu vala
iigi ma
Vale, intr, v., to grow, to
spring up; n,, mush-
room ; hence mavale,
uprising, uproar. Nja
valia, to water
Vale, plu. valeisia, n,, dart
Vail, tr, v., to'throw out, to
sow, to spit upon. Ke ti
ndaya Talia. Bi gowo
vali ngalisia ya, kick
against thorns
Vali-mo, w., sower
Valo, n,, a red-coloured
stinging ant that makes
its nest in leaves
Vanga, n,, a war-drum in
the shape of an hour-
glass
Vanja, n., fringe, tassel.
Va njesia, borders
Vao Taon, adv., at once.
I tewea vaon
Yara,' with ma=?Tala, <r. v.,
to rely on, to depend on.
Ko wu vara. That ye may
be made strong
Vawoli, tr, v., to trouble, to
teaze. Nya li i vawSlia,
My heart is troubled '
Vaya, tr, v., to scatter, to
disperse. Nya lo nya
ggnyoisia kina polo na.
Fonufele gbgyongo mahU
pii a foloi ji ngesisia ti
Fenjisia vayani. This day
fifty years the English
scattered, conquered, dis-
persed the French. Koi
vS-ya. A babSi ji vaya
Ve = fe, n., pot^ jar, bowl,
pipe. Kolu-ve. Poro ve
Tawa-ve, Wa a nye-vei.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
come with, i,e, bring, the
fish-pot
Ve, tr, v., to blow, to clear
by blowing, to play a wind
instrument. I ndowoi
venga
Ve, tr. v., to give
Ve, adv., completely, en-
tirely. Nda-ve = la ve,
brimful. I mea ve
Velango, to be conscious
Vele, 71., fan. Ngi velei ngi
yeya lo. Kolu vele
V§li, tr. v., to bid good-bye,
to take leave of, to dismiss
with compensation. I
velia ngi hotangfsia ma.
Ngewo i velia nya ma.
Kina ngi velini ti ma
Veli, intr. v., to become im-
poverished, to ask for. Ti
ngafei veli ti ma. Eq ti
tewe* Piiru Igloi hio
Veli nia, verb, w., poverty
Vendo, inttns. adv., com-
pletely. Ti figiirui gohu
gbiaa vendo-vendo
Vengo, adj., both ; the same
as venjo. I he venjo ma,
he prayed for both. Ti
venjo ta gdla ndowa hu
lo. I gbala ti venjo we
Vengele, n., sticks used to
'strengthen the lower part
of kpasf
Vengolo, adj., depressed,
sunken, as from hunger.
Ngi goi ya vengol^
Vivi, tr. v., to shake. Ta ti
wiiisia vivi
Vo, tr. v., to shine, give light;
to flame. Gbe hinda yf kpf
Ip ngalui a pele mu va ?
Ngalui a voke foloi a
gbla. A vo a kpindi hti,
n., flame, blaze, shining
Vo = folo, n., sun, day. Bi
ha v6, 5aya ha vo
Vola, verb, n., resisting; re-
sist. TI guni a ngi vola.
Vo = fo, plu. voo, age. Ngi
v66i i ye nu yela gboyongo
mahu pii. He was thirty
years old
Vo, intr. v., to enter, to pass
through
Vof5, adv., through,
throughout (?)
Vofo, intr. v., to suck. Nya
longo a ngulu vofoi kale
hu
Vogi, n., brightness
Vgko, n., a thick waxed ring
used by magicians to
ascertain secret things.
Being rubbed on a board
it is said to adhere if the
answer is " yes "
Vole, intr. v., to whistle
V6ll, adv., contemptuously,
affrontingly. I jiao nya
yamavoll. V6lingo,tobe
sad, sorrowful
Voll, n., purse
Volo = folo, day. Several
plural forms are in use :
as vololsia anc^ volesia 'ind
vSisia*. Bi vSisia ta lembi
ndolai hii
Vols, n., a large rat with
white hair
VqIo, n., a wild animal of
the cat kind
Vomb9, tr. v., to stretch out.
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145
to stretch, to unfold, to
stand in a line. I ngi
lokoi vomboa. Ti ti go-
lofsia Tomboa pelei bu.
I ngalei vomboa
Vombu, the same as vombo ;
also current of water
VomI, n., plot, conspiracy
Vomi wua, tr, v., to plan
against, to conspire
Von, adv., hummingly.
Kpandi i dewea von
Vonde, tr. v.', to pant, to
breathe with difficulty
Vonde, w., a plant used as
tobacco : the juice of the
leaves i» drawn into the
nostrils like snuff
Vgndo, intr, v., to perspire,
to sweat
Vondo, w., sweat
Voni, w., isle (Acts xiii. 6) ;
and = f5ni,to pinch. Ti
lima voningo, being
grieved
Vgno, adj., big. Ndppoi ke
vono
Vonu, n., the last year
Voro, n., a kind of large
field-rat
Vote ngewQ, n,, a curse
Vqvo, 71.*, lungs
Vii, tr, v., to live, to breathe.
Niinga vua, living people.
Wu pe habeb^la ti vii,
make the dead to live =
raise the dead
Vu, adv., describes the rush-
ing sound of wind. Fetei
i waa vii
Vu, w., the moon corre-
sponding with February
Viika, tr. v., to grind. Tawa
vuka, snuff
Viiko, tr. v., to coil, to form
a ring
Viilango, to be strong,
violent. Nasia ti viilango
ti mbiimbu a kpaya
Viile, intr. v., to foam, to
bubble, to ferment, to
heat. A ngi le viile
Yu\i,pron., self. Nya viill ;
ti vuli, plu. vulisia and
vuliiisia
Viilu, n., a kind offish
Viise, adj., soft and mealy.
Used of boiled roots and
dry earth
Viiungo, to be alive, living
W
Wa, pers. pron., 2 per. plu.
you, ye
Wa, pers. pron., 2 per. plu.,
neg., you or you not, not
ye, ye must not. Wa liia
ti ma. Fear ye not them
Wa, pron., you and. Wa
foma wu li, you and ;
f5ma,yego. Compare §27
B Mende Grammar, 1882 ;
and page 55, Principles of
Mende Granomar, Mende
Mission, Sherbro
Wa, tr. v., to come, to ap-
proach. Wai lo, to have
come; wa a, to.come with
= to bring. Ngi wai lo
a ngie,.I have brought
him. Ngi wa mbe
Wa, def. St. wai; plu. waa
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
= wa, TTalsia, and wSwa,
wawai^ ^awalsia; great,
large, haying iufluence.
Kolo wa mla. Nu wa a
ngie. "Wawithadjectiyes
is an adverb, very
Wa = ba = pa, tr. v., to
kill, to destroy. Ti ti
vani a k&lia lo. Ta ngi
wa lo. Niimu wa we, to
commit murder. "Wii lo
mu va, He has been sac-
rificed for us
Waa and wa, def. st. wei,
f»., fruit; generally with
ngiilu, tree, as, ngulu
wa, tree fruit : ngulu wei,
of the fruit
Waa, adv., describes the
smarting of pepper. A
jiile wa&
Wae, contracted from wala,
to call
Waela, contraction of walela,
n.', calling ; and waeni, con-
traction of walfni', called
Wala, verb, n., coming
Wale, tr, v., to call, to name
with a following
Waif la, verb, n., calling
wall, tr, v., to meet ; n., a
cleared place in the shade
of trees
Walo, tr. v., to bring
Walongo, to be great, large,
big
Wama, n., slaughtering-
place
Wamonde, w., hour. Wa-
jnonde df wf yela be, even
one hour
Wanda, only occurs with
panda, to form the in-
tensive form; as, panda
wanda, well, carefully,
dihgently. Ti mgli
panda wanda
Wandango hinda, to be of
a kind disposition
Wango, to be dead, killed.
Ke mu wango If, but not
killed
W&ngu, tn v., to penetrate,
to soak. Pu njifi hu ko
a wangua lo. Nje wa-
ngua ndof hii. Water is
absorbed by the ground
Waon, adv.y clearly, quite ;
full of light. Kolfngo
waon
Wfitu, n,, magical food
prepared V»y the Mahom-
medans of rice-flour and
nesi, and designed to
destroy according to
expressed conditions
Wawoli = vawoli and
fawoli, tr. v., to quarrel,
trouble, tease, provoke
Waye, conj,, unless, except
Wayukpa, num. adj,^ eight
Wf = pf , welf = pf \f
We, tr. V,, to do. Nga ji
wf lo. Ka wf , to teach.
To do, to be done. Kg i
wf ni nya we. To be-
come, to happen, to take
place, to come to pass.
Ti wf lie hiibgla, They
became like dead persons.
Ji gbi i ye wfi lo, All
this was done = came to
pass ; awrf i ye wf ni. Ngi
wfa a hil$p9 wa, I be-
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MENDE-EXrJLISH VOCABULARY.
147
came a great boy. To
appoint, as, I nya weaga
gogubei ngi gob^l^ mahu,
He appointed me his
commander over all his
soldiers. We kaka, make
haste. Ke i weno^a, and
it was done. Wenga, to
turn or be turned into,
with Of. Ke silo i wenga a
sama, And the spider was
turned into, transformed
into, a chief
We, jprep., to, for. 1 koloi
vea ngi we
Weipron., neg., yon, ye not,
ye will not. We pe ? ,
We = wele,«., house. Ngi
nda we-bu or wele bu, in
his own house
Wegende = wekende
We-hlnda, w., doing, con-
duct, character, disposi-
tion, conversation. Nga
dolongo ngi we-hinda.
Ngi we-hinda i gbegbeni.
Ngindawe-liinda, his own
order or ordering
Wei, adv,, shortly, here-
after, by-and-by, long. In
order that, that or ko wei
Weje, adv.f . visibly, un-
covered. Ngi galei i
laniweje
Weka = peka
Wokende and wegende,
adj\, of little value,
credulous. Ndopoi ji
ngi wegendengo *
Wela, tr. v., to finish, to
complete, to end, to es-
tablish, to contou. Used
to describe the definite
past tense; as, ngi wela
a menila, I have finished
with hearing, i.e. I have
heard. Kina i ye welani
a nunga yandaia. I
welaa a kolo nyegi la. A
w| a me. Welahgo, to
be grounded, * founded,
established
Wela, intr, v,, to run away,
to flee, to abscond. Nya
kei liiweisia ti wela, to
escape. Ti wela ngi ma
Wela, w., way. A na gbi
giila lo ta ye ngi welei hii
Wele, i.q, we, to do
W|l| = we Vi., house
Wele = pele, tr. v., to stoop,
to cover, to trust in, to
recline, to put on. I
ngi lokoi wele a nyapoi
ma. Ndl wele, n., hope
Welengo. Na ngi li weleiigo
ma. That in which he
trusted. I nda we. He
covered the mouth
Wen, co/y*., notwithstanding
Wengo, to be made, done.
I wengo le be = it is
made like = compared
Wete, tr. v., to turn into
something
Wili, intr. v., to fall asleep.
A wili nji wa hii, to
throw, to start, to shoot,
to jump, to row, to pull
Wilime, tr. v., to race often
with wele, i.e. running to
do wulime
Wime = pime, to run. Mua
lo wimema
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Winde, intr. v., to jump, to
leap. Winde = binde
mahu, to jump over
W = ng, wo = ngo, w = p
Wo,jDrcm.,own,miDe. Koloi
, nyawomia. Chiefly used
with possessive pronouns;
as, nya wo le, my own it
is ; bi wo le, it is thy own.
Neg., bi w5 i le, to belong
to, or not to belong to. Ti
wo, theirs.
"Wo hani jg, n., heir
Wo = ngo, intr. v., to cry,
to weep, to mourn. Nya
loloi lo woma. Ta wo lo
Wo, w.,*voice, cry. Ngi ngi
woi meni lo. Wongo, to
be' sounding. Tongo
wongo, sounding brass;
adj., sonorous; to sound
clearly. Mbill wongo.
Ti wongesia, their own
company
Wo, tr. v., to give with a
following, i,€. to present
with. Nya wo a koloi
na
Wo, tr. v., to open, to dawn.
I ngi la woa. N., opening
of any kind. Mejiwo,the
eye of a needle
Wo, tr. "., to break, to
open. Kina ngelei j tatoni
a wola. When the sky
began to dawn = to open
= at daybreak. Wongo,
to break in pieces
Wo, adv., once, of old, long
ago. Tamoi y ela mia wo.
In a negative sentence it
means " neyer." Ngi wu
go wo, I never knew you.
Kea li ngi leni wo. If he
had never been born
Wofe, n., a fishing-net with
a long handle like a scoop
Wofela, num. adj., seven.
Wofela wa botani yakpe,
kill seven with one blow
Wogba, adj., all past time,
formerly; arfv., since, long
siDce, long ago. Le wogba,
never before. Kina wogba
ngi weni le
Wogbe, tr. v., to test with
a decoction of sassa-wood
bark for witchcraft, theft,
etc. Wogbeisia gbenpa,
give lots.* l^gogbei, the lot
Woi, adv., a little while ago,
in a little while. A pe lo
woi
Worta,wwm.ac?y.,8ix; woita-
gele, the sixth
Wojege, adv., numerously.
Epele sarotsia ta lani wo-
jege
Wojege, adj., projecting,
barely covered — as the
bones of one emaciated
Woji, adj., libidinous, lust-
ful. Woji, n ., fornication.
Woji-mo, n. ; wojigbe mo
Woka = poka, n., hoof
Wgkilla, n., opportunity,
convenient time
Woko-b61a, n., imitators
Wgkoli, tr. v., to seek, to
search, to inquire
Wgkpg = wggbo, adv., afore,
before ; v., to put oflF
Wgla, n., mourning, crying,
weeping
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149
Wolf, adj., wild, careless,
heedless
Wole, tr. v., to shave. Wole-
mo, one who shaves
"VVole and wele, n. and adj.,
a small portion of food
left in the dish for the
children; not the smallest,
intermediate. Ndoli wole-
wole ve ngi we
Woli, n.'and adj., pewter,
pewter basin
Woll, w., tail. I jia a ngi
woli
Woli = ngoli, ear
W61o, tr. v., to err, to make
a mistake; to offend
against, with we
Wolo, tr. v., to listen, to
tearken, to give atten-
tion or heed
Wolo, tr. v., to own. Ngi
w5lo a ngie, I own thee =
thou belongest to me
Wolo we, to make great, to
enlarge
Wolongo, to be great, large ;
enlarged
Woma = poma, w., back ;
adv.y behind, after. Ji
woma, after this. Na
w5ma, in the back of =
afterwards. Without; wu
kei woma, without your
father
Woma = poma, n., corpse,
dead body
Woma-mo = p5ma-mo
Woma navoi, n., inheritance
W6mbi, w./fcknee. Wombi
gbakpa, to kneel
Womu, n., wadding, tamp-
ing, the soft material used
in calking
Wona, to be straight; as,
pona, to make straight;
to smite
Wondo, n., a hollow filled
with water in the rainy
season, but empty in the
dry season
Wonga, wongelsia, and wo-
ngesia, n., family, rela-
tives, kindred, kinsfolk
Wgngo and woi, tr. v., to
worship twins, giving
them oil and salt each
new moon
Wongo, great, large; n.,
size
Wonjen, adv., describes the
sharp ringing sound of
metals falling upon hard
substances. I giilaa wcl-
njen
Wonjenga, plucked
Wonjo-la, w.,a gate of sticks,
used in a barricade
Wopo, tr, v., to carry, to
flourish
Wopo-giilei, n., a cloth to
carry a child on the back
Woponye, tr. v., to bruise
with breaking, to grind
to powder, or crushing.
Woponyengoi le, not to be
distressed or borne down
Worobaba welei, the earthly
house or tent
Wotale (John xvii. 1 [?])
Wote, tr. v., to turn around,
to* turn one's self into
something, to repent, to
return an answer, to
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150
MENI>E-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
reply. Injiagbi wotene
iigi ma. I wote a kua.
Nuwfkai w6tei loa mabei,
Another man was made
king
Wote-wote, frequentative
form , to turn much about.
Ngewo lay lei e wote-wote.
Li wote-wote, hesitating,
doubtful mind
Wova = ngova, intr. v., to
grow old', to be old;
to float; former. I wu-
mbia ngi nyaha wovei;
adj,y wova, plu. w6vda,
old, aged. Sani wovaa,
old battles. Mamei Ji ngi
wovnngo
Wovango, to be or to grow
old
Wove, tr. v.y to turn the
back. 1 movea ngi ma,
to turn the back from
him
WQwo = w5,intens.form,to
make lamentation. Ti
ngi wowoa ngalu yela
Wowo, urinam reddere
\V5ya, adj., coarse, rough,
rash, discourteous, inso-
lent
AVoya-hinda, w., violence,
tbrce, impertinence, ra-
pacity
Woya-mo, w., violent, rude,
rapacious, reckless per-
son; plunderer. Awoya,
by force. Njepe woyamo,
n., babbler (Acts xvii. 18)
W = ng, wu = ngu
WvLfpers. jpron., 2 per. plu.,
ye, you, your
Wu, pers, pron., neg., ye or
you not
Wii = ngii, def. st. wiii =
ngiii ; plu. wua = ngua,
wiiisia =ngulsia; n.,h€ad.
Ti wii hitea la ti nyo-
nyo
Wu, intr. and tr. v., to awake,
to stir up, to provoke.
Ngi wu, make him. Wu-
nga nji hii
Wu, intr, and tr. v., to be
amazed, to marvel. Ti
wii hu i wu, to be con-
founded, confused. Ti
wii i ye wui lo ji va ; and
ngi hu nje wui lo ji va ti
ngi houni a tonya
Wu, tr. v., to smelt
Wu = pu, to put, to place.
Mu wuae lo
Wii = woli, w., tail
Wu and wua, contracted
into wa, tr. v., to wash ;
wuanga and nguanga, to
be washed
Wiia, pers. pron., neg., ye,
you. Wua be, ye also,
even you, ye
Wua, tr. v., to bear fruit,
to produce seed. I wua
a ngiibui wua, yekpe.
Wuango, to be fruitful
Wiia, tr. v., to wash. Hiia-
ngo, to be washed clean,
sanctified. Wiiango I le.
It is not clear, distinct =
indistinct. Wua f5, to
cleanse
Wua, def. fit. wufi, plu.
wuisia, n., tree-fruit
Wue, pers. pron,, neg., ye.
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
151
you. Used only with a. I
hinda yekpe wea a wue
Wuei, adv., by-and-by, soon
Wueni, comp, pron,, ye, you,
and I ; plu. wu and wua.
A Tery singular use is
made of it. Gbamaile
ma wueni ye le, lit. be-
cause we, ye and I, were
there, because you and I
were together = I was
with you
Wiife = ngiife, intr. v., to
be ashamed. I wufea nya
ma hindavai peni. Wii-
fengo, nya wiifengo wa le
gbon
Wu-hlte, tr. v,, to turn up-
side down. Kina i ye
wiihiteni ka
Wii-hlte mo, «., counsellor
Wiija, n., Poro messenger
Wukpe, w., race, stock. Tu-
gboma wukpe, w., stum-
bling-block
Wiikpra, tr, v., to pull up,
to root up
Wiile = ngiile, to sing
Wiilj, to draw, as water
Willi, to row
Wiilo = ngCilo, w., oil, fat.
Wuloi hii, of your oil
Wfilo, tr, V,, to fatten, to
grow fast
Wiilo, adv., little, small ;
few, short. Kpe wulo,
short time
Wiilongo, to be little, to be
young; also wulu, wu-
lui. Higbea wulua, a few
sick persons. I kuloi
wiUdi, the least
Wulongo, to be fat, fat-
tened. Hiiei wo, fat meat.
Lohani wulongolsia, fat
creatures
Wulu = wuru = nguru =
ngulu, 71., tr^, stick
Wuma, pron,, own. Nya
wuftia hani lo a ji
Wuma, n,, the place where
something is deposited.
Navoi wumei, n., treasu ry
Wiimage, pron,, myself.
Nya Wma, of myself.
Ngi nya wiima hinda gbi
wema. Wu = head =
of my own will, head,
purpose = *«^?IP. Ngi
wiimage, of itself. A
wiime a ngi wiimage. He
ran of his own accord.
Tela i ha ngi wiimage,
one died of herself, i.e,
a natural death
Wiima magawO, n., stripes
Wiiraawo, tr. v., to redeem.
Wiima woi or miimaoi, n.,
redemption. I ti wuraau,
he saved them. Wiima
he hii, in self-will wor-
ship
Wumawo, to have yourself
= to be free. Tonyei a
wu wumawo
Wumba, in the head,- top,
uppermost part
Wumbi. See Wombi gba-
kpa, to kneel
Wiimbu = mbiimbu, tr.
v., to take, take up, lift
up
Wiimbula, verb, n., taking
up
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Wundfa = ngundia, w., hair
of human beings
Wundu = ngundu, adj,^
fresh, raw
Wundungo, to be fresh,
raw. Huei wundungo
Wunga, plu. wungflsia,
n., relatives, including
parents. Perhaps wu-
niinga, your people
Wfmgo, to be astonished.
Ngi hu wiingo a ji
Wuru. Compare Nyama
bewiiru labu, n,, judg-
ment-seat
Wurui, n., bowels
Wu-vuli, pnm,, yourselves
Y = nd, ya = nda, ya = la
Ya = nda = la, w., mouth,
edge. Mbowf i ya hango.
The edge of the knife is
blunt
Ya, 71., outside, sur&ce.
The opposite to hii.
Njiei ya gbe
Ya, la', adv,j not. Tl ya lini le
Ya, intr, v. (to go), have
gone. The present tense
is wanting. To be about
to ; as, Ngflf ya lo woma.
When the day is about
to dawn. Mu ya me va.
Ngi ya mab§i ye. Ngi
ya pSbu. Bi ya lo ba
hani *gbot5a do lo. To
go down, to set, f5l$i i
ya na. MI lo ti ya iia ?
Ya, defect, subs, v., is and
was. Hindo ya gQlengo,
The man is calm, meek,
cool. Neg., ya, is not,
was not
Ya, suffix forming abstract
nouns ; as, ndop9ya,
childhood
Ya, post position, on, upon,
in. Ngitlya, plu. ngltfsia
ya. Ndendei ta nje ya
Ya =» yaka, w., side
Yabele, tr, v., to perceive,
to observe, to notice
Yabo, w., member of Himo
Yade, tr, v., to exalt one's
self. Ya ye, to be
abased
Yafa = ngafa, n., spirit,
soul, ghost
Ya&, tr, v., to accuse, per-
secute ; to backbite,
slander ; to speak ill of
Yafe, plu. yafesia, w., enemy
Yafen a, or yafo a ? yabo
Yafune, adj., pointed. Ngu-
la yafunei, pointed stick
Yagba, def. st yagbfi, n.,
severity ; and nga-gba-
hinda
Yagbaengo = yagbalengo,
to be very painful. * Ngi
hai na yagbalengo y^ If ?
Was his death very pain-
ful ? Fole yagbaengo
mla. It was a sad stcci-
dent. F6mei yagbaengo,
The whip is* painful*
Yagbf , n., nephew
YagCmi, tr, v,, to lick
Yaha = nyaba, n., wife
Yahlte, to dip in
Yahii, n., sole, bottom of tiie
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MENDE-ENQLISH VOCABULARY.
153
foot; feet, bottom of the
f.'et
Yaliuma, to steal
Yajla, to gnash
Yaka, n., side, region, dis-
trict, heart. I ndo mu-
TQuisia gbonda ngi ya-
ka ma. She pressed the
little children to her
heart. K, to turn, stray.
Ti gbi li yaka pelei ma
Yake, post position, at, near
towards
Yakpango ngi nemahii, in
his right mind. See Nga-
kpa
Yakpe, pron., the same;
pin! yakpea, yakpeisia.
Adv,, ke yakpe, only,
singly, alone; forthwith,
immediately, at once
Yakpf , tr, v., to persecute.
Mu yakpgngo
Yakpla, trl v., to endure,
persevere
Yale = ngalf, tr, v., to
break, to break oflF. Yale
nga, to split wood. Ko^
wo yalf-mo, n,, wood-
splitter *
Yale, w., host, landlord
Yaleisia, n., mats
YalengShii, as, Ng&ma yS-
lengohtl, adv., In the
twinkling of an eye
Yalr, w., boat. Ku Ifnga ta
yall-gbawu gbate lb
Yall, w., sting
Yalila, verb, n,, breaking,
splitting
Yalu = ng&lu, n., egg,
moon
Yama = ng&ma, w., eye,
face ; ^ep., before, in the
presence of
Yama, intr. v., to go back,
to return. Yama a ha
ke ji, to restore, to give
back
Yama nSingo, to oe cove-
tous
Yamala, verb, w., returning,
coming back
Yambatu, w., a westerly
branch of Kpangba
YambS, n., dress, frock,
female apparel
Yamgne, tr. v., to afflict, to
trouble, to torment much
Yaraone-mo,one who causes
much trouble
YandS, tr. v., to frighten ;
awihiiyande. Ngibihu-
yandea, to scare, to de-
ceive by promises
Yandihgo, to be sharp
Yand5 = ngando, to gather
YandSIa, verb, w., gathering,
collecting. YandQbSla,
Those that are assembled,
congregation. Church
Yane, tr. v., to watch, to spy
Yangale, intens. form of
galf, tr. v., to break in
pieces. Ingangalingoi, the
broken pieces
Yangg, tr. v., to itch, to
scratch
Yango, n.y separation, or
state of separation ; adv.,
alone, only. Nya gango
1 1$, I am not alone
Yani', 71., a kind of creeping
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULABY.
Yanja, tr. v., to separate, to
divide, to disperse
Yanja, n., a hollow iron or
triangle which, suspended
by a string, is struck by
a ring upon the thumb
and little finger
Yanun^sia (Luke iii. 5)
Yao, come thou, do come
Yapele, i ndende yapele. He
upset the canoe
Yapowo, was losed
Yara, tr, v., to misrepresent,
to deceive, to be dis-
honest; adj., deceptive,
dishonest. Yara gbama,
vain deceit
Yata, intr, v,, to lie down
flat
Yati, tr. v., to light, as a fire
Yatitili, he was very heavy
Yau, n., boldness
Yauwandei, the grave
Yawa, w., a small kind of
onion called yabes
Yaw5, to boast, to vaunt
one's self
Yawote, to pervert, to over-
throw
Yawoyo, to be strait, strict
Yaye (see Nge), to take up,
take one's self up, i.e. to
exalt one's self; but the
very opposite in Lnke
xiv. 11, Mende translation
Yayf ma, to continue, to go
on ; adv,, still, yet, again
Ye, sttbst v., to be. Ngi ye
lo n§,. Ngi ye Bendu lo
Ye, imjpers* v., says, he says
or 8£ud. Ye ti ma
Yf, interrog, pron, and |>rep.,
who? how? Ye mia.
Who is it?
Ye, n. (from nje, mother).
Used in direct address.
Ye i nya doli. Title for
our " Mrs."
Ye, tr, V,, thrust down. See
Nje
Y§, adv,, ready. Ye i ha,
ready to die
Ye = yele, n., house, home,
residence
Ye,, post position = we, to.
Ngi ya mahei ye. ]§rgi
navo venga mahei' we
Ye and yei, intr, v., to de-
scend (to ascend). Eina
ti yeni ngiye mahii, to
pour out, to anoint. Na
i yeni ti gbSto ma va.
I ngi ngulo yeini. Ti
yei wu li nyani va, Not
that ye should be grie?ed.
Nya If yfngo i le, My
heart is not cut down =
I am not grieved or dis-
heartened
Ye, contracted from yfle,
house, home; as, ngi ye
i wa, his house he went
= went home. In use
with poss. pron, in the
signification of reflexive
pron. : as, nya yS, I my-
self; ngi ye, he him-
self
Yee, part,, saying. Used
with the third person.
I ndei lo ti ma yee. He
told them, saying
Yegbe, n., a species of goat-
sucker
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
155
Yege, yengele, adv., a little.
1 higbe yege
Yegele, adv,, very. Plyei
gboungo yegele
Yei, def. st. of nje, n., goat ;
plu. yeisia. Teidlsia, kids
Yei, def.st of nja', n., water
Yei, to be adrift, afloat.
Ndendei lo yei ma
Yei. See 1 Cor. i. 26 : tl yei,
they are not, or there are
not. In Gal. i. 14 : yei-
nyolsia, traditions
Yei, contracted from yfke,
he wanted
Yeja, adj. and n., right, as
opposed to left. Yeja
yamfi, the right eye;
yeja loko, the right hand
Yejama,' n., east (perhaps
south side)
Yeji, n., word or words
Yeke = ngeke, wanting,
wanted ; * to be about
something. Ee i y^ke
i pa, He was about (=*
wanted) to kill him. Yeke
i ha
Yekpe, (zdj., good. Hinda
y^kpf we, to do good
Yfkpe, preceded by the
poss. pron., it becomes
reflexive : as, nya yekpe,
I myself; ti yekpe, they
themselves
Yekpengo, to be good
Yekplya, n., goodness,
advantage
Y6la, num. adj., one. Saro
yfla. Ti yelage; plu.
yeloa = yfla, yei fsia; one,
the one. Pu mahii yelesia,
the eleven. Hani yelei
na mla mu ye doni. That
is the one ( = only) thing
we saw
Yela = ngela, fr. v., to wipe,
to clean,* to take away
Yelakpe, adv., once only.
Ha i yelakpe, ti bi wa lo
peka gbl na gboma ta
Pf
Yelf , n., outcry, scream
Yele, V. to be, used with
both past and future
signification
Yele, intr. v., to laugh, to
ridicule, to rejoice
Yele = ye wele, house,
piace of* residence, home
Yele, adj., bold. Yele lo
ngii hu, tr. v., to bind
Yelela, verb, n., laughter,
laughing
Yelen, adv., softly, gently,
noiselessly, quietly. A
jia yelen
Yelengo, to be gentle
Yell, intr. v., to abuse ; ye-
lingo, abused
Yelo, tr. v., to wish, to hope
Ye-lohii, comp. n., = home
country, native land
Yf mbe, n., a small drum
Yenda, n., balance wheel of
stone used in spinning
Yenda-vala,n.,spindleupon
which cotton is spun and
the thread wound
Yengalu, n., paw, claw
Yenge, tr. v., to work, to
labour. Yengela, verb.
n., working, labouring
Yenge, n., quagmire, bog
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
Yengebelo, n., k5k6 with
undivided leaf
Yengesi, w., English person
Yenjele, adj,, protruding
lips
Yepe = ngepe = njepe,tw^r.
v., to converse, to talk
much. Kina ti yepema
Yepe If, to dismiss
Ye- pel |, the house
Y^se^adj., first, to be first;
prep., before
Yefo, thought, intended.
Ngi yeto, nga wa a kolo
kee ngi lemaa ma
Yewe, /rom ye, intr, v., to
descend ; n., descent
Yewe, def. st. yewei, sight ;
in thy sight = before thee
Yewo = Ngewo, n., God
Yeya = ngeya, yeyeisia, n.,
hand. Niinga yeya, to
l>e in the hand* = to
possess, to have. I na
gbi majia i ngi yeya, i
kpale na yeya. I na gbi
majra i ye* ngi yeya i
ngeya
Yeya = ngeya, tr, v., to
'buy. Kii'la yfya mbe,
buy cloth for me
Yeya = ngeya, 7i.,line, rope,
boundary. Ndiiwo yeya,
slave rope. Nya yeyf i i
devvea
Yey'e = ngele, adj., quarrel-
'some, disturbing the
peace, violent, disorderly.
Yeye hii, in an uproar,
tumult
Yeye hinda, n., commotion,
disturbance, confusion
Yi, n., object, thing, person.
Gbo a yl ji ?
Yl, intr, v,, to sleep. Ylalo
=ylnga, have slept. To
congeal, as oil; to close
petals, as flowers ; to rest
from pain. Kina hii yini
nani, after four days.
Yima, verb, n., sleeping-
place
Yia, intr, v., to speak, to
speak to. I yla ti ye, to
scold to. I yia ti ma,
to dispute. Ta tati yiaa.
To sound, mbake i yia a.
Tonya yia le
Yia, n,, language, word;
plu. yieisia
Yia, plu. ylanga, w., home
Yiamango I le, adj., un-
reprovable
Yianjiango, to be factious,
to be contentious
Ylanyo, n., the opponent of
another. Ngi yianyoi a
ngie
Ylbaomo, w., magician, to-
to mo
Yibon, adj., weak. Ngi
gahii ye ylbon ngue
Yie, def. st. yiei, n., mother :
plu., irreg., ijehga, of rare
occurrence ; reg., yieisia
Ylgi,jlwi,w., key
Yigill, adj, continuously
afflictive. Ti nya ya
yigili
Ylla = nglla, n., dog
Ylli, tr. v., to cook
Ylli, tr. v., to tie, to bind.
Hinda nyamu ylli hfi, In
the bond of iniquity
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MENDE-ENGLISH VOCABULARY.
157
Ylo, plu. ylolsia, w., finger
Yiongo, to be young, to be
a child. Kino wo nya
yiongo
Tlii^a = ngitiya, n., street,
outside
Ylrfl, = yela, num, adj., one
Yiva, ad{,, unclean. Used
by Mahommedans. Ylva
hua mia
Yo, ac^y., signifies assent, yes
Yola, adj., thick and turned
back. Used of lips. Ngi
la i ye yola
Yolu, TO., the very long
narrow cloth worn by
young girls about the
loins
Yogba, n., abundant, large
supply. I nyga a mba
yogba
Yogbo, to weaken ; strength-
less
Yombe. adj., large. Ndopoi
ke yombf
Yombo' = njomb?, to., hair,
feathers
Yombu, TO., fire
Yonda, adj., restless, in-
clined to walk about
Yonembe, to., cow-bird
Yonga and y^hga. dewe, tr.
V , to boast. Ba y§nga
dewe nya mahii. Ma
fhouni hindo i yonga
dewe. The Sierra Leone
English *'cut younger."
Adj., proud, boasting,
bragging
Yonga, TO., pride
Yonga dewe-mo, to., boaster,
proud person
Yongo, TO., pebbles used by
magicians
Yongolu, TO., tooth
Yopo, TO., field. Ygpoisia
Yoro (Acts xxviii. 2)
Ygto, adv., continually and
copiously. Nje i waa ha
yoto
Yove, adj., small and low.
Pelei i ye yove
Ygvu, adj., yielding to
pressure, soft, elastic.
Kpiikoi nga ye yovu
Yiife biise? (Luke xiii 21)
Yiife = njiife, soft. Njowe
yiife, boiled potatoes
Yiigba= njiigba,ac(;*., active,
wild. Yiigba-mo, one
who is active, wild. Jii-
gbango,to be active, wild
Yiimbu = njumbu, tr. v., to
mix. Yiimbua, mixed,
compounded
Yusu = jiiju, adj.t deep.
Yiisungo, to be deep
END OF PABT I.
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PAET II.
ENGLISH-MENDE.
A, indef. art., \k expressed by
yela, oDe
Abandon, tr, v., kpe = gbe ;
abandoned, left, ndo, ndg-
lohu = lolohu, kpele, gbe-
lengo
Abase, tr, v., maye = yaye
Abasement, w., hinda maye
Abash, tr. v., ngufe = wufe
Abbreviate, tr. v., pe-gutu
Abdomen, w., kombu
Abdominal pain, n,, kohu
gbale; protruding abdo-
men,' hika-go
Abhor, tr. v., toma, dolo
Abide, intr. v., hei
Ability, n., memhfi-dewe
Able to be, kii = gn, kiingo
= giingo
Al)ode, n., heima ; abode of
troops, heigo yima, i.e.
sleeping-place
Al)omination, n., toma-hani
Abound, v., ayemagboto
Al)Out, prep, and adv., mbe-
lengo, gbelango, kinei
kinen
Al)ove, adv., ma, mahu,
npjeleya
Abroad, n., ngltiya
Abscond, tr, v., wela
Absorb, tr, v,, wangu, kpole
Absorbed, adj,, ngghii
Abstain, tr. v., kpe = gbe ;
abstain from swine's flesii ,
ndonde diye. A gbende
hinda ma
Abstinence, n., tiye = tewe
Abstractedly, adv., ngobu '
Absurd, absurdity, mata-
ma-hinda, hinda matama
Abundance, abundantly, a
gbonge, gbon, kpotongo
Abundant, to be, gb5to,
kpotongo
Abundant supply, n., yogba
Abuse, tr. v., ngeli, ngafa,
fasi, yelingo
Abuser, w., ngeli-mo, ngafa-
mo
Abusive, adj,, fasi ; abusive
word, ngeli-yia
Abyss, n,, hinda juju
Accede to, tr. v,, mato
Accelerate, tr. v., we kaka,
maviila, hiigbandi*, hii-li
Accept, tr. v,, so = jo, kiiru
= giiru, ku = gii
Acceptable, adj.^ ndelele,
boy a lo, kiirungo; to
make acceptable, mane,
manene
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABIH.ARY.
Acceptance, ti., fiale
Accident, w., fole, fona
Acclamation, n., kpawo
Accomplish, tr, v., kpoyo,
wela, magao
Accord, w., woyakpe
According to, accordingly,
tonga. Kina, as, kina ngi
jawei na
Account, tr. v., kounti-gbia,
kpala; on account of, fa
= va ; give an account
^ of, ndahi = lahi
Accumulate, tr, v,, ngando
= yando
Accursed, adj., nowongo
Accuse falsely, ba, hiibu
Accusation, n., mayia ;
accusation against a rela-
tive who has neglected
to mourn at the death of
one, kotoyia, majagbe
Ache, to, kpale, gbae
Acid, to be, tabango
Acknowledge, tr. v., kulua ;
acknowledge with inter-
cession, pelehii
Acquaint, tr. v., hiigo, nda-
hei
Acquire, tr. v., so = jo
Acquisitive, ady.,hani-mani
Acquit, tr. v., bawo, bao,
temu = demu, to decide in
favour of
Across, adv., a mu njei
dewe, madewe ; across
from' side to side, kpekpa ;
also to lay across
* Act, tr. v., pe, we, pele,
wele
Action, n., pe-hlnda, hinda
w§
Active, adj.j yugba. Kaka-
mo lo a-ngie. To be ac-
tive, jugbango
Actor, 71., pe-mo, pe hinda-
mo
Acuteness, to increase the,
of the smell by applying
stimulants to a dog's
nose, to
Adage, w., dome
Adamant, w., kotu nyande
Add, tr. v., mato, pii, mata
Adder, w., kale or kali, de-
le; black and speckled
adder, nyegi
Addict, addicted, sa hinda
wova; addicted to plea-
sure, woji
Addition, n., mato
Adept, to be, mahoungo
Adequate, to be, ku = gii
Adhere, intr. v., fefe, fefelo
Adherent, n.^ fefe-mo
Adjourn, tr. v.', nda folo
weka ma
Adjudicate, tr. v., njla hula
Adjust, tr. v., magbkte
Admiration, w., kpoo
Admired, adj., mamaningo
Admonish, tr. v., nda hi =
lahi
Ad monition, n., ndahi hinda
Adopt, tr. v., ye = ge
Adopted child, ti., m*ake-lo
Adoption, n., make- 16 ht-
ndei
Adoration, n., he-hinda
Adore, tr. v., he
Adorn, tr. v., maylli, nyande,
magbate
Adrift, to be, ndende lo ye-
ima
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
161
Adulation, n., tato
Adult, 71., numu jembe
Adultery, n., poe-gbia
Adulterer, w., poe-gbla-mo
Adulterous generation, n,,
powo bondagbiala; adul-
terous companion, lanyo
Advanced in age, wovongo
Advantage, n,, hinda yekpe,
yf kpeya, nyande nya va,
gbfkpeya
Adventure, w., hInda baba-
isia = wawalsia
Adversary, to be, domango
Adversity, w., hinda nyamu,
fofolo
Advice, n., ngo, ndahi, lahi
Advocate, tr. v,, mavale
Advocate, n,, mavale-mo,
njia le-mo
Adze, w!, kpa
Affair, w., hInda
Affected by, ngatigo
Affection, n,, ndoma, loma
Affirm, tr. v,, no, vefa
Aflfiict, tr, v., yamone, gigili
Aflfiiction, n., kpekpeli, mo-
no, hinda gbou-gbou
Aflfiictive, adj., yigili. Ti
nya ya yigili. They aflfiict
me = I am affiicted
Affright,.^r. v., nduma = lu-
ma. Ngi bi hii'luma
Affront, tr. v. and w., ngeli
Affirontingly, adv., voli
Afloat, to be,ndend6 lo yeima
Afoot, to be, ggma we
Aforetime, adv., wo. Time
past, long since, Hindei ji
i weni lo wq. Wggba, all
past time, formerly ; as,
Kina WQgba ngi ji weni le
Afraid, to be, liiwa, liia,
nduwa
After, prep., ke,poma = wo-
ma ; after that, na woma,
kpelei na woma
Afternoon, w., folo-legbea,
folo giila. Kpokponye,
kpoko-voi
Afterwards, adv., na-woma
= poma
Again, adv., gboma. Gbon
= in future, kuna
Against, prep., ma, gbeanga
Age, 71., fo ; year. What is
thy age? Bi vo doli?
Wovo, old
Aged person, n., nj?ovo lo
a-ngie. Kpo-koto "
Agitate, tr. v., huwa'; upset
Ago, adv., wo
Agony, 7?., death-struggle
= breathing hard. I ha-
ngiye dema, He is mount-
ing the hill of death
Agree, tr. v., hiila, kiila;
ngo, ngayili, ngoi, kanjo
wua
Agreeable, adv. and adj.,
ne, nene, neni. Itis not
agreeable to ."me, I nene
mbe
Agreement, n., ka, kanjo,
sama
Agriculture, place of, n.,
kpalama
Ague, n., kolo-higbe
Ague cake, i.e. enlarge-
ment of the spleen, ngQpi
Ah, interf., a ! 6 ! gba 1
Aid, n., gbo, gboma. S'gi
gboa bi ma, I have helped
you
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ENGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
Aim,-n. and v., ne, nema,
to, mane
Air) w., fef| ; tr. v., hu-be
Alarm, n. and v., njla lela,
nduama-hinda
Albino, w., jengulu
Alder, n., ngnlu a poa go-
golia
Alienate, tr. v., ndala; to
draw away, gbia
Alienated, adj\, ndogba
Alight, intr, v., hei
Alike, adv,f kpiawaye, kpl-
aye
Alive, to be, vungo
All, adj., kpi = gbi, kpere,
kpele, ngmo ; all things,
hani gbi, pepe, hindei
gbi; all through,'pI, nomo;
all = every one, kiiriipe ;
all mankind, ngele bua;
all past time, wogba ; all
the way, sq; all night,
gbii
Allege, tr. v., nQ
Alligator, n., ndamba
Allow, tr. v., ndiima =
liima; allow a claim, t^mu,
be, kavaU = kavai
Allude, tr, v., gole
Almighty, n., hinda wema-
mo wai
Almost, adv., te, kiilo tf
Alms, n., mba5-hani
Aloe, n., ninga
Alone, adv., l§k§. If, yakpe,
yango
Along, adv., kHhama
Aloud, adv., ngeleya, jole
wa, i.e. great noise
Already, adv., kinei
Also, conj., ke, be, ta
Altar, 71., hima, ja-gblama
Alteration, n., mavovi
Altercate, tr, v., mall, ma-
gali
Alternately, adv., ndeki>e-
ndekpe = lekpne-lekpe
Although, conj., ji be, gba-
maile be, ke be, pengo be
Altogether, adv., tenga,
a denga polon
Always, adv., p5l5n, kii
gbima
Amass, tr, v., ngando =
yando
Amazement, n., wu, ti wii i
wii ; tihu wua
Ambuscade, n,, suwa
Amen, ni i ye na, i ye nl
Amend, tr, v., pe panda, we
wanda
American, n., megi ; Ameri-
can cloth, ndawele ggla
Amiable, adj., yekpe
Amiss, to be, le. Bi le le.
Thou art in the wrong
Ammunition, n,, ko-haka,
ko-hani
Among, prep., ndia = Ua
Amount to, gboto
Ample, adj., ngb,*gii
Amulet, n., sewe, soko
Amuse, tr. v., ndpil '= 1$U
Ancestor, n., mamada ;
nunga wSvelsia wq
Ancestry, n.,' niinga wove-
sia ti hindei
Anchor, n., kgli ndendehtl ;
lost anchor, ggli giila
Ancient, adj., ngovama
hInda
And, conj., ke, ta
Anecdote, n,, dgme
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
163
Angel, w., tomo, plu. to-
b^la, i.e. messenger
Anger, w., ndl d§w@ = li
dewe. I li de wea gbon, lit.
His heart is cut very much
Anguish, n., kpale wa, ni-
nisa nya-li-ma
Animal, w., hua, plu. hiia-
nga, sewiilo tohani ;
homed animal, ndowo-
hiia; any animal with
claws, ngengalu; young
animal, h&a-lo
Animate, tr, v., ndido
Ankle, n., kpowo, kowola
Annoy, tr. v., mone. He
annoys me, A nya mone
Annual, adj.^ foi gbi ma
Annul, tr, v., hiiyande
Anoint, tr, v., mali, sia, ye
Another, adj., peka = weka,
mba,mbola; another time,
gboma
Answer, n., ngiiama, diima,
pote ; Ifima, kpembo, wo-
t|. Ta ti wove ti we. They
did not answer them
Ant, n., gili, kowo, mbe-
mboli, piipu, vfli, koko
Antagonist, n., njia-mo,
fanyo
Ant-eater, n., kanye, kimbo
Antelope, w., bene
Ant-hill, n,, hegi, plu. hegia
(yr higia
Anticipate, tr, v., htihou,
hiimbu, hiibua
Antipathy, w., tolo
Ant-lion, n., kpiikpunye.
Queen of white ants, glli-
nye
Ant's-nest built in a tree^mo
Anus, n,, kpoma, tgkpiila,
mboti
Anvil,' w., ngai-ggtu
Any, adj„ gbi; anything,
hani gbi, haka gbi ; any-
body, miimu gbi; any
time, hii yela. Ndoli ha-
ka gbi bi yeya
Apart, ac^v,,ndowu, kakama
Ape, n., ngglo, ngoro
Apologize, tr. v., magbate
Apostle, n., to-mo
Appal, tr. v., hiilua
Apparel, kiila, kola ; female
apparel, yambo
Apparent, adj., kengele
Apparition, w., kama-hani
Appeal, tr. v., li a njia
Appear, intr, v., ke, ge;
appear unexpectedly,gola.
I gonga a-ngie,He showed
himself
Appearance, »., gbia ngii-
ma, kamo-hani
Appease, tr, v., ll leili, lo-
ndo, ndeli, nepo. Lile-
li va, for peace sake
Applause, w., kpaDJi, kpaji
Apple, w., ngulu wa, i.e.
tree-fruit
Apple of the eye, n., nga-
tna-lo
Apply, '<r. v., moli, gbonda
Appoint, tr, v,, we
Approach, intr, v., la-gbea-
nga. Ngi lama ngi gb|a-
nga wa
Approbation, n,, ndileli
Appropriate unlawfully, mo
Approve, tr. v., longo, leke,
fialel Exclamation ex-
pressing approval
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164
ENGLISH-MENDE YOCABULABY.
April, n., ngelf v6, i.e. the
dry April sun from
November to April
Apron, n,y hama yiila
Apt, to be, mahoungo
Archer, n., ndlpa wili-mo
Arm, n., mbSke = bfke,
toko = loko* yake ; arm-
hole, armpit, kpumbu,
kpombu; kpaki; upper
arm, shoulder; bone of
the arm, kpaki gale
Armour, n., ko-hani, kgtu-
loma. Go mayi hakei
Aromatic gum, n., kpeje
Arouse, tr, v,, ngu = wu
Arrange, tr. v., magbatf
Arrival, n., hite or hiti
Arrive, intr. v,, fo, hiti
Arrogance, n,, ngama
Arrow, w., kgtu lipka, kgni
lipka. Menye, menye ta,
quiver ; ndikpa vale or
vai
Artful, adj., mbi ji
Artist (carver), n., ngiilu
beli-mo, i.e, in wood ; kotu
beli-mo, in stone, sculp-
ture
As, conj'., be, kina be, la =
na ; as it were, pengo be ;
as far as, sq ; even as, as
soon as, kinen, kpag
Ascend, tr, v., he, de, te;
to raise up, elevate
Ascertain, tr, v., hiigbe, hii
vese
Ashamed, to be, ngiife, wiifl
Ashes, n,, nduvu ; tr! v., to
bum to ashes, turned
into ashes
Aside, to put, ndama or
lamagb&tf. Kakama, se-
ngbe
Ask, tr. v., moli, hiiveli ; ask
with a present, as for a
wife, mboya feli
Askance, cuiv., sengbe
Assemble, tr. v., nganda,
ngandanga, kome = g5-
me ; assembled' to a feast,
sombo = jombo. Mu jo-
mboa hindei ji
Assembled army, n., sal
Assembly, n., k^ma, kgme
Assent, nini; so it is, yd
Assert, tr. v., no
Assist, tr. v., gbo, kponya,
gbonya
Assistance, n., kponya =
gbonya, sahu kpoma
Associate in fighting, n.,
ndapinyQ
Assuming, htlwolo
Astonished, to be, bu htl,hfi-
bungo bi va, wii, wiingii,
ha-bu, hawu. Ti gbi ti
wii hti bungo yelf , They
were all much astonished
Asunder, ctdv,, ndiiabii
gole; cut asunder, tewe
ndia
At, prep,, ma, gama; at
once, ke yakpf; at all,
PQto mbe, tingon, fangon.
Atmosphere, n., htl
Atrocity, n., kpiinde hinda
Attack, tr. v., kpiinde =
gbunde
Attain to, tr, t;.,ldk$ hiti ; at-
tain to manhood, ndakpa
Attempt to do, nemakgli
Attend to, tr. v,, hfi meni.
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ENGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
165
Ddali = lali ; mahiigbe,
19. Ke ti lalini ngi ma
Attentively, adv., tingon
Attract, tr, v., malala
Auger (bit), w., biimu
August, n,; nauo
Aunt, w., nje-wul6
Authority, *n., maba-yla,
kpaya hinda we, ngii
Avenge, tr. v., hiinyQ
Avenger, w., hunyo-mo
Avoid, tr, v., jowi ; avoid
to see, gbindi. To deny,
jowi
Awake, intr, v., wu, so, ngu
Awe, n,, malua, maluango
wa
Awning, large, n., tolo
Axe, w., komi ; axe without
a handle, konu mene,
sgndu gonu
B
Babbler, n., njepe w5ya-mo
Babe, n., ndola
Bachelor, n.,' ndagba 15
Back, n., p$ma = w5ma ;
to turn the back, p6v§;
to carry on the back,
popo ; back of the head.
Backbite, tr, v., mayafa,
njafa, ngafa
Backbiter, n,, ngafa-mo
Bad, adj., nyamu ; to be or
become bad, nyamungo;
bad-tempered, ndima
nyamu
Badness, n., hinda nyamu
Bag, n., nongba, bolo ; cow's
b&g, nikanylni. Sgndo,
b5w6,j6ma,kpava,asmall
bag carried upon the
person
Bail (handle), n., kpawu
Bait, n., tomo
Balance, give tfie, ngakpa ;
balance wheel-stone in
weaving, yenda ; balance,
remainder due, ndekpu,
malo
Bald, adf., yele ^vi\
Ball, n., kate'; ball of cotton,
fande-gate
Ball (gun), kale = gale
Bamboo-tree, n,, ndiivu =
liivu; bamboo-tree wine,
ndiifu, konu
Banana, w., sele, seli, tende
Band, n., ngeya = yeya
Bandage, n.,* ngeya
Bank (place of * exchange),
n., navo maluvema
Bank (shore), n,, ngiye, ka-
ku ; steep bank, kombo
Bar, w., ba
Barb, as upon a Kano spear,
menye
Barber, w., ngu wgle mo
Barely covered, wojege
Bark, n., ngiilu gole,njenje,
yflni, kokolo
Barn, w., kpiiwa, gbiie
Barrel, n., kole, kolo *
Barren, adj., k^)gma, kpema.
Ngi nyaha gbemango le.
His wife is barren
Barricade, n., dadai, tembe,
kpasa
Barter, tr, v., felego
Basin, n,, kalo, kar5
Basket, w., tekpe ; one who
carries a bai^et, lekpe
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
w5-mo. Bala, piga, saja^
samba, piya
Bastard, w., hite-lo, poe, 16
Baste, tr, v., sgko
Bat, n., taja, ndeve,'toka
Bathe, tr, v., mua, wua
Be, subs, v., le, ye, be, mia,
yele. It is true, tony a mia
Bead, n., mini, solo, kpondi,
tende
Beak, n., songba, nda-bowa
Beam, w., ngulu giiha
Bean, n., tola
Bear, tr, v., ndola, nde = le,
i.e. children; bear* fruit,
wua; bear about, mbe-
mbe ; bear upon, kponcia
Beard, w., kpele = gbele ;
bearded and beard of
grain, magbiti ; beard
on the sides of the face,
kpakpa = side whiskers ;
person with a dick beard,
kpele vanja; beard of
grain, fili
Beast, n.f ndagbo hani, hiia
Beat, tr. v., hija ; beating
with the mouth, i.e. inces-
sant, painful tallying,
ndagbale, manyo ; to beat
or grind into flour, fuka
Beautiful, adj., nyande ; to
be beautiful, nyaijdengo ;
beautify, nyandi
Beauty, n., nyandegi, nya-
ndima
Beaver, n., bive
Because, conj., gbamaile,
ji va
Become, intr. v., we, wele,
wote, pele; become inde-
pendent of labour, jama
Becoming (fit), houni, ma-
houngo: not becomiDg,
ma i-houni, be, bengo
Bed, w., kpiiko; high bed,
bell, ndama
Bed-chamber, w., lama, i.e.
a place to lie down
Bed-fellow, n., nyinyo. To
share the bed with
another, kpiiko makpo
Bee, w.,komi, and honey ; v.,
to lick. Bee's water =
honey, kanya
Beef, n., nika hiia
Beetle, w., gondo, beke; larva
of the goniio, ndofo =
vofo
Befall, intr. v., male
Before, prep., la,tiigo, tuwo,
labu, pei, pen, lugo, ge,
ndabu
Beforehand, ikpeleima, liigo,
ng9va, wggba, yese
Beg, tr. v., feli = veli, feliwei
Beget, tr. v., nde = le; be-
getter, le-mo, plu. lebSla,
lebelesia', the natural
father, parents
Begin, tr. v., tato = lat9
Beginning, w., tatpma; be-
gining of a play that
ends in public mourning,
ngowo
Beguile, tr. v., kgde
Behayiour, w., we-hlnda;
genteel behaviour, sama
hani
Behead, tr. v., hgn tfwe
Behind, prep, and adv.,
pgma = woma
Behold, tr. v., kpe = gbe,
kpele
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABUIART.
167
Belch, intr, v., kimbo
Believe, tr. v., hou a'tonya
Believer, w., tonya hou-mo
Bell, n., kpamande, bama-
nde
Bellow, m<r.v.,kpawo, kpao.
A kpawo kina nika hina,
He bellows like a bull
Bellows, n., kuli boko, fiile ;
blacksmith's bellows, fiiie,
gboko
Belly, n,, ko, kohu. Nya
goi fango. I ko wiimbua.
Lower part of the belly,
kombu
Beldngiog to, nya wo le;
i.e. it is my own, bi wo
le, nda
Beloved, adj., ndlma =
lima; the beloved, ili-
mage
Below,' prep, and adv., mbu,
bu
Belt (waistcloth), n., hama-
gola
Bemoan, tr. v., ngo = wo
Bench, n., gbehe, he-wuli,
semela
Bend, tr. v., koto, kotokoto,
pon, gawa, ndekpiB
Beneath, mbu, bu; picked
up beneath, ngoyombu
Benevolence, n., hinda
wanda
Beniseed and benniseed, n.,
mande
Bent, adj., soku = jgku
Bequeath, tr, v., nd9
Bereave, tr. v., maimo,
. hInda maimo
Bereavement, n., hinda
mal§
Beseech (plead for), tr. v.,
manene
Besides, prep, and adv.,
gboma, gbo-hinda, ji
woma, tewengo ji ma
Besiege, tr. ' v., kpakpa,
kpakpa ma
Besmear, tr. v., kpombo,
mal3
Bestow, tr. v., nyo, go, go
Bet, tr. v., tikpo
Betray, tr. v., jeli; betray for
a reward, majia
Betroth (a young girl),
tr. v., falegbia
Better, it is, fisa, mahou-
ngo yele
Between, adv., nduahfi =
liiahii
Bewail, <n v., kpala
Beware, intr. v., mahugbe,
pe panda, kp^le
Bewilder, tr. v., hubu, htLwu
Bewitch, tr. v., honade.
Practice witchcraft, ti
bona dea hindoi ji ma
Beyond, arfv., poma = woma
Bier, n., haka
Big, adj., vgno, ndopoi ke
vono, bango, bili '
Bigamist, n., nyaha gbotoa
jo-mo
Bigamy, polygamy, n.,
nyaha gbbtoa jgraa
Bill, beak, n.,' songba, nda-
b5wa
Bill of divorcement, n.,
kpelema golo
Billhook, n., mbo-gba. TsL
ndogbo liiwela*
Billow, w., njagata; gate
Bind> tr. v., nglli = ylli '
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ENGLISH-MENDE YOCABULABY.
Bird, n., nwoni and ngni.
Sikondf, jengbe kulo,
mbaka, adoine, membu^
ndjilu. Bird's feather,
nwoni yombo, jakoli.
Flock of birds, kakibo,
kpongbula
Birdcage, n., kuli, julu. It
also means iish-trap.
PaliDgo, ndabo, nda-
webo. Bird's bill, nda-
bowa
Birth, n,, ndf , le
Birthday, n., le-vploi ; give
a birthday, nde
Bitch, n., ngila hS
Bite, tr, v., nyl, nyi w§, n,,
nylma; bite a hook, tu-
gba
Biter, w., nyl-mo. Tif| ji
nwonanga
Bitter, acfj,, nona. To be
bitter, nonango
Bitter cassada, n., ngiiwo
danga
Bitterness, n., nwona-hlnda
Bivalve, n., kemi
Black, adj,, teli, dell, dedell;
ngli, as, kole ke ngli. To
be very black, dellngo
kpl
Black man, n., tell-mo
Black skin, n., tell ndiiwu
Blacken, tr, v., teli, m&dell
Blacksmith, n,, kebi, nga-
li-mo, ngai-mo
Blacksmith's shop, n., ngell
kpiima
Bladder, n., nggli tfi (tei,
def. St. of ta)
Blade, w., nda = la
Blame (faidt), n., kay§
Blameless, adv., kayf gbl
ti ma. There is no* fault
in them
Blasphemy, n., njla ny&mn
= bad language; blas-
phemous words, p5wo
yla le
Blaze, intr. v., v6
Bless, mbete, luba; also to
favour with
Blessed, to be, bete, betengo,
liibango
Blind and blindness,
mbole; be or become
blind, piimu, piimungo
Blind person, mbdle-mo,
ngama bgle-mo
Blindness, n., mbole-hlnda
Blister, w., caused by the
whip, kpfle, fiifu, and
fiivii
Blood, n., Mma
Blot, n., ngo yela la
Blow, n., biilo
Blow (stroke), botani
Blunt, to be, hango, ngaha.
Mbawe ngahango
Boa-constrictor, w., ndlU,
ndile
Boar, 71., ndonde hina
Board, n., fanja = vanja,
gbembela, gembela
Boast, tr, v., yawo, y^nga ;
boast over, gokSle
Boaster, n., y^nga* d'f wS-mo
Boasting, n., ndawg hinda
= law9-hlnda
Boat, n,, ndende = lende,
mange, yati
Bodv, n., kpuhS, nduha,
nduwuluwa, liiwu, plu.
luwulsia ; ^dead body.
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BNGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY,
169
p6ma; within the body
or skin, kahu
Bog, w., yenge
Boil, w., ndivo
Boil, tr, and intr, v,, n§;
njei i nea
Boisterous, to be, fefei hCl-
lingo
Bold, adj., ngama, njama
bengo yele, i,e. to have
dry, unpitying eyes
Boldness, n., ngau lewe,
yau ; boldness in speech,
ndagba
Bolt, n., ngulu, pelei gbowu
va
Bone, n., kale, gale, seed or
stone of fruits ; neck-
bone, mb61o-gale ; shoul-
der-bone,' kpaki gale;
hip-bone, kp6ki
Book, w., kolo = golo
Boot, n.f koka, koka
Booth, n., baba, kpiihe
Booty, w., kapu-hlnda, hani
Border, n,, vanja, plu.
vaDJesia
Bore, tr. v., mbo = bo, and
mbo, bo, bu ; bore through,
fulo
Borer (instrument), biima
Bom, le; bom again, le
woma gboma
Borrow, tr, v., slya = jia
Borrower, n., siya-mo, jla-
mo
Bosom, n., ndfma, yaka ; in,
hii
Both, n,, venjo and vengo
Bottle, n., sani; bottle of
gourd, kpula
Bottom, the, imbu, mbu,
ngiile-mbu, tokpii la ;
bottom of the foot, yahu
Bough, n., mbeke, bf ke
Bound, adj.y yeya; (line),
ngilingo
Boundary, n., ngeya =
yfya
Bow (crossbow), ndikpa
Bow (stoop), Mr, v., ma-
wele, mawe
Bowels, n., piilu,bulu,wurui
Bowl, w., haka
Bowstring, w., ndikpa yeya
Box (trunk), ti., kana, plu.
kananga
Box (blow), w., botani
Boxer, n., botani wilimo
Boy, n., nd5po = 15p9; hi-
lopo, mahoungo hilopo-
Isiagbi ti golo ga. Boy's
play in imitation of the
Poro, gambo
Bracelet, w., IsLnye
Braces, n., kpama
Brag, intr. v., maliiwa
Braid, tr, v., ndewe, nga
hou, ngamo, fele, lapa
Brain, n., kpono, pono
Branch, w., mb^ke, beke,
t5ko, towa. A tree with
many branches, towa
wiilu
Brandishing a sword, k5to
gbolela
Brandy, w., ndo ; any kind
of ardent spirits
Brass, n., tonga, faji, deme
Brass kettle, ti., tonga
Brave, adj., ndima bf , ndlla
ngama bengo, fiila*
Bravery, n., ndld5, ndllo
Bread, n., l^hii \
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ENGLISH-MENDE YOGABULABY*
Break, tr. v,, ngangale,
ngalf, yangalf, ngg, wo;
break off, yalf , nga; break
a promise, ngande, kpuk-
pnlu; break into small
pieces, pgponye; break
out, as an eruption,
gbundo
Breaker, n., ngale-mo, ngQ-
mo ; i.e. of a dish, ngdlo
Breakfast, n., ngenda mehe
Breast, n., nini, nyini
Breast-pocket, w., njiva
Breath, w., ndevu = leYti
Breathe, intr, v., ndevu =
levu ; breathe with diffi-
culty, vondf, levui la
Breeches, * w., bombo.
Breech-cloth, ketali
Breed, tr, v., nde = If
Brethren, n„ nd|nga
Brick, w., ngundf
Bride, n., tenina
Bridegroom, w., nyaha-jo-
mo
Bridge, n„ kpawu
Bridge-builder, n., kpawu-
la*mo
Bridle, w., so-la yeyei
Bright, to be, vongo*
Brightly, adv,, gao, daon,
dene
Brightness, n., Togi
Brim, n., ndajo, kiri, kinei
Brimful, adj., lavf ngo
Bring, tr, v., wa lo a, i.e.
come with, walo; bring
to see, li, go ; bring up,
make; bring a slave child
for payment, hpukpambu
Broil, tr. v., mo
Broken-hearted, li nyani,
wo, yallngo, ngallngo ;
broken pieces, nganga-le-
ngoi
Brook, w., kpelu
Broom, n,, k'pa, kpangba»
ndavale, ndiwale
Broth, n,, mboya
Brother, n,, ndf, ndewe,
nde hindo; plu. forms—
nd|a, ndenga, ndengesia.
Elder brother, nd'f hfndo
wa ; younger brother^
nde hind9 loi, and hIndo
wuio
Brother or father-in-law,
demia
Brother or sister by mar-
riage, semojemo
Brother of the husband or
sister, semomo. Mother's
brother,* kenya or k§nya
Brother or sister by the
same father, but of diflFer-
ent mothers, ke-makpo
Brow, w., tawa
Brow of the eye, ngama
yomba
Brown, adj\, gbongo
Bruise, n,, bowa, b9wango ;
woponye, * kpondo ne-
muma; mbgwa mabola,
mabpwa
Brush, 71., ndivale
Brush off, tr, v., mayela;
brush upon, makpuk-
pule, magbiikpule
Brushwood, w., ndoka
Bubble, w., fule = viile
Bucket, w., bogoti
Bud, 71., kpQku,tiwo
Bug, 71., gbegbeyalo, hita,
gbemgbe-yawu, uja-nene
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
171
Bugabug, n,, gili
Build, tr. v., do, dongo;
mbo, bo
Builder, n., to-mo, pele-do-
mo
Building, w., mawele
Bulk, n., kpuhe, wongo
Bull, 71., nika hlna
Bullet, 71., kale, kpande
gale ^
Bunch of beads, ^angba
Bundle, ti., nguma; bundle
of grass, kpiti-yili
Burden, ti., haka
Burial, n., kpola ; burial-
place, sekenda ; burial-
ground, kpowuma
Burn, tr. v., mo; bum to
blackness, tevi t§ka
Burning, ti., mola
Burnt-offering, sa-hani mo-
la. Ta mongoi. Burnt
field, motu
Burrow, 7i., ta
Burst, tr, and intr., bela,
piile, ngale, bull; burst
out crying, ngo
Bury, tr. v., kpowu; bury
temporarily, geve
Bush, n., ndogbo, ngole.
Bush-fowl, kokaye, ku-
, bengo, tewe, nyangbe,
tua-wulo. Bush-cow, ti*.,
heke. Bush- deer, malu
Bushel, n., mola
Business, n.', hinda, we
hinda
Busy, to be, gbengo
But, conj'.f ke
Butcher, n., to-hani ba-mo,
hiia hawa-mo
Butter, 71., matinga
Butterily, ti., kogSnde, k5nde
Buttock, 71., ngoto
Buy, tr. v., ng|ya = yeya,
ngea
Buyer and seller, ngeya-mo
By-and-by, kiina, wei, wuei,
a kpele weka =at another
time
Cabbage (palm), n., mbole,
kotobQ
Cable, n., ngea, ngeya wa
= yeya wa
Cackle*, intr, v., kpekpe
Cadaver, ti., poma
Cage (trap), n'., kiill
Calabash, n,<, ta = da ; ta
ndogbo hii
Calf, 71., nika 15; calf of
the leg, haka
Calk, tr. v., sojo
Call, tr. v., toll, wale; call
by name, lahei
Called, waeni, waleni, wa-
Calling, verb, n,, walela, va
Calloo, 71., seini
Calm, adj,, ndl lellngo, li
leli ; v., nepo
Calmness, n.y ndila, londo-
ngo, ndondowa
Calumniate, tr. v., ngafa
Calumny, n., ngafa
Camel, 7i.,ngelQba,nyogome,
kamili. I jia kuhama soi
ma
Camwood, ti., mbundo,
mbunda
Can, tr. v,, ku, gu
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ENGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
Candle, n., wiili, hemn
Candlestick, n., limbo wiili
Cane, w., rope, mbalu;
cane of authority, tikpo
Cannibal, n., boni-mo, bgni
Cannibalism, 71., bgni-hlnda,
kgli-hlnda
Cannon, w., dugba
Canoe, w., menge, ndende
Cap, n., bglo ; cap of skin
placed over the lock of
a gun to keep it dry,
kpande vanja
Cape, n., sokui hii, nja jokui
nja-joko
Capon, n., te hina nuni
Capsize, tr. v., yapele
Captain, n., ko gugbe
Captive retaken, w., kpla-
mo ; goods retaken, kpla-
hani ; war-captive, ko-
h5u; captive taken while
fighting or fleeing, kende-
mo
Captivity, n., kohSu or koh?
Carcass, n., poma'
Care, w., kpe, mahil kpe =
gbf, menima
Carefully, adv., panda-wan-
da
Careless, ctdj,, wole
Caress, tr, v., nepo*
Carnally minded person,
nduwu-mo
Carnivorous, adj\f ndaha
Carpenter, n., ngiilu bfli-
mo. Sapinda
Carpenter's shop, ngulu
bflima
Carrier, n,, p$p5-mo, carrier
of a basket, tekpew9p5mo
Carry, yala, lla, p6pQ; carry
from place to place,
mbele
Cart (waggon), n., kong5l9
gana
Carver, n., ngUla beli-mo
Cask, w., kolo
Cassia, 7i.,*tanga; bitter
cassada, ngiiwo danga
Cast, tr. v., plli = wlli, kpla
= gbia
Castrate, tr, v,, niini
Castration, n., nunl-hinda
Cat, n., gone, kpawe, man-
gato pggoi, manyala,
mgni; wild cat, nda-nda-
kul5 ; spotted cat, nyan-
gbe, kendawi, lolo
Catcli, tr. v., hou, kp| = gbe ;
catch with the* hand,
kpavo, ngasa
Caterpillar, n., kpekpeli,
kogondo
Cattle, n.y to-hani, lo-hani
Cattle-owner, n.,to-hani mo,
kupu to-hani mo
Cause to cease, kpe ; cause
to conform, njogbo ; cause
to show, maylage, hligbe-
mo
Causeless, adv., gboma
Caution, n., ndahila
Cautious, to be, lahfngo,
jojolongo
Cave, n., kpulu = gbulu
Cavity, in an ants' nest, pii.
Havinga hugbukpu
Cease, intr. v., naondo =
londo, gele
Centipede, w., konu, ngii
Centre, n., ndfa = l!a
Chaff, 71., ka = ga; def.8t.
kei = kai, gei = gai
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
173
Chain, n., lowo
Chair, n., kpakali
Chalk, n., hoja, hojo
Chameleon^ n., ndokalo
Change, tr, v. and n., ma-
wovi, malnwe, maluve,
pote
Changer, n,, mawovi-mo
Channel, w., pati
Chapped, adj., nonyo
Chapter, n., ngii
Charcoal, w., kpiinye
Charge, n., ndahi; v„ lahl-
ngo
Charm, w., hale, hale-hlnda
Charmed, or possessed of a
charm superior to all
other charms, suwa wa
Charmer, n., hale-mo, hale
gbate-mo
^ Chaste,' adj., siiesiie
Cheap, adj., bagbanga, nya-
ndengo
Cheat, tr. v., kafa, kafa we,
baya
Cheater, »., kafa-mo
Cheek, n., ba, gbogbo, ba-
ng?
Cheer, n., le-leli
Cheerful, to be, kahri-gbla
Cherished feeling of hatred,
ndima gale
Chest, n,, ndlma
Chew, tr, v,, nyiima, nyuma-
ngo ; also mbahii nyuma-
ngo. To half chew, majo-
ya, majoso
Chief, w., sama = jama;
chief of the Sande, s6wo ;
chief of the Poro, tas5 ;
chief of an island or
country, tiiwo, mbawa
Chiefly, adv., ngui lo
Chieftainship, n., sama-
hinda
Child, w., ndo = lo, 1§, nd6-
po = lopo ; a child large
and strong considering
its age, kpakolo; child
able to walk, jia-io
Childhood, n., ndopoya
Children, plu., ndfngo =
lenga, ndengesia, lengesia
Children's talk, n.] nida-
dala
Chimney of a lamp, n.,
sani, ngombu-lama
Chin, n., kpokpo = gbogbo,
cheek
Chisel, n., sondu, gonu, ndg-
boma
Choice, n., ndima
Choke, tr, v., hiigbe
Choose, tr, v., Mwoya,
mbiimbu = wumbu
Chop, tr, v., nonya, yenonyo
Chronic ulcer, n., ngele
Church (the building),'jnge-
wowele; Church (the con-
gregation), Ngando-b61a
Churlish, n, and adj., ndi-
ma nyamu
Cicatrice, n., so
Cinder, n,, teka
Circle, n., ka, kala
Circular, n., kere, kikili
Circulate, tr, v., jla
Circumcise, tr, v., bili, bibl-
lia, hebiliya; iheibilia;
tew§
Circumspectly, adv., s5isoi ;
walk circumspectly, jia
s5isoi and suesiie
Citizen, n,, ta-wai-mo,
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174
ENGUSH-MENDE YOGABULABY.
plo. ta-wa b^ tade,
' tejengbe
Clamour, n^ sole = jole
Clap hands, panji^ kpaji
Clarify, tr, v., ndoke. Bi
yamei lokengo
Clasp, tr, 't;.,*kavi
Claw, plu. claws, «., nge-
ngaln, ngengalo = yen-
gala ; animal with claws,
nge&galu-hna
Clay,'w., polo, pgro, pena;
pottei^s clay, bowo, bowo
Doro
Clean, to be or to make,
kglengo, ngela, kole =
gole, wna fe; to wash
clean, f5f5 sahe
Cleanse, tr, v., mayela ;
cleanse and dress well
for show, kpela-gbia
Clear, as the ground for
cultivation, malu, ndoka
nd§w§, ndowe
Clear and clearly, ke, saha,
sasa, sage, sewe, waon;
clear, full of light, daon
Clearing the bush, n., ndoka,
nd5kala, ndew^, ndowa,
nddwala
Clear-sightedness, n., nga-
ma-gole
Cleave to, mtr, v., fefe =
veve
Clever, to be, become, ne-
mahii df w§, bf li
Climb, tr. v., te=de. Hoop
for climbing palm trees,
mbal$
Climber, w., ngSyako
Clinch, intr, v., kgndo
Cloak, n., tQma
Clog (of wood), n., kpewo
Close (shut),<r. v., lagbaxt,
lagbawa, tiwi, closing up,
pelehu boma
Close-handed, i.e. greedy,
ngeya gondo ; to close
the hand tightly, mondo
Closely, adv,^ kebi
Cloth, n., kiila, gSla, pin.
kulani, kolani, golani ;
wopo giilei, yolu. An
African-made cloth two
fathoms long, ndawele-
gQlft
Clothe, tr, v., nglli = yili,
mayili, mayllmgo
Cloud, n,, ngele, kpili
Cloudy, ac?i;.,*ligbili
Club, n., pgna
Cluck, intr, v., kpekpe
Cluster of houses, kiigu
Coagulate, intr. v., nji
Coal, n,, teka, viiko
Coarse, adj,, woya "
Coast, n,y lata
Coat, n.f kiimba
Coax, tr. v., nepo, ndane
Coccyx, the point of, ngo-
loko
Cock, n., te hina; shuttle-
cock, dikpo
Cock bird's spur, w., mava
Cock-crow, n., kokoli
Cockroach, w., kpekpe,
Cock*s comb, n., sengbe
Cocoa, w., paji and baji, pii,
dolu
Cocoa-nut, n., tglu, piiru
dolu, i,e, white man's
nut
Coerce, tr, v., kponda
Coffer, n,, gana
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ENaiJSH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
175
CoflBn, n,, koraa gana
Coil, tr, and intr., koto;
coil round and round,
koto-koto ; fuko = viiko
Cola-nut, n., tolo
Cold, adj., kole; to be or
grow cold, kolengo
Collect, tr. t;.,kome, ngando,
tema = dema, tembe =
dembe. Mbe fayango
dema navo demba
Collected, sange, senge
Collector, n., ngando-mo
Colt, n., so-lo, so yio
Comb,w.,kpegbe = gbegbe;
v., wiii hukpia. Crest of
the rock, sengbe
Come, intr. v., wa ; come
out, kpia, wa; come forth,
hiti ; come together,
gome; come to pass,
njiei i wa ; come to, kona
Comer, w., pa-mo
Comfort, n., manene, nepo
Coming, n., wagi, pa
Command, n. and v., ndahi
= lahi
Commander, n., ko-mahu
Commandment, sawe =
jawe ; sawa ndahi = lahi
Commence, tr. v.j^tato
Commencement, n., tatoma ;
the commencement, itat5-
mei
Commendable act, n., hinda
yekpe
Commerce, n., felego
Commit, tr. v.] ndema =
Ifma
Common, n., munga gba-
mesia
Companion, n., mba,, knma,
mho, mbai, ndakpf , nyo ;
bad companions, nji-nyo
Companionship, n., mba
hinda
Compare, tr. v., sale = jale
Compass, tr. v., bombe
Compassion, n., mamao,
mamau, manuma
Compel, tr. v., kponda
Compensation,di8miss with,
veil, paga
Complain, tr. v., kponde
Complaint, n,, mayia, ma-
jagbe, kponye
Complete, intens. adv., kpa ;
tr. v., ngakpa ngakpo,
wela, pela, ngakpla
Completely, adv., tani, pe-
jeje, pepeje bele, digbo,
mole, nati, kebeli, kpe-
nkpeje, kpoto, kpokporo,
fe, feye, fia, fino, and
fino, fo, vendo sen, sila,
sul *
Comportment, n., we-hlnda
Composed in mind, ndl
leima
Compound, tr. v., makpo,
hiipu
Comprehend, tr. v., hiigolo
Comrade, n., mba
Conceal, tr. v., lowu gbowu,
mawele; nearly concealed,
kengele
Conceive, tr. v., ko wiimbu.
Ngi nyaha ko wiimbu
Conception, n,, ko wiimbula
Concern, n., hinda, njia,
gbe
Coacerning, joar^., ndalongo,
ndalo. I njia leni ndalo-
ngo Kare ma
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ENaLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Conclude, tr, v., kele and
ngakpia
CJonclusion, n., kelema
Condemn, tr. v., nde = le.
Hindei jisia leke ti ngi le
pava
Condemnation,n.,nde-hinda
Condition (state), n., ya
Conduct, n. and v., pe, we,
we-hlnda; good conduct,
sabu
Confess, tr, v., kaye = gaye
(also fault,transgression).
Ta gayea ti hinda nyamu-
isia
Confession, n., kayema
Confide in, tr, v., la = nda
Confidence, nya li gbi hi-
ndioi na ngau
Confirm, tr, v,, nda, pela
Conflagration, n., ngombu
Conflict, n,, ndapi = lapi
Conform, tr, v., njogbo;
to cause to conform, and
to obey
Confound, tr, v., be con-
founded, ndihele. Hi-
ndei ji ke i nya li hole
Confuse, tr, and intr, v,,
hubu. Bi nya hiibua
Confusion, n., fawoli, favoli,
yeye-hinda
Congeal, intr, v., nji = yl
Congealed, ndagulo
Congratulate, tr, v., s§-gbia,
to thank
Congregate, tr, v., ngando
Conjugal intercourse, n,,
soloi wf
Conquer (scatter^ tr. v.,
faya
Conqueror, n., ko-faya-mo I
Consent, n, and v., kuloi,
ndiima = lilma, tuma =
duma, yela
Consolation, 7»., nepo, hinda-
ndila
Console, tr. v., nepo
Conspiracy, ng5 yela la,
vomi, kanjo, kpgni*
Conspire, tr, v., ti ngo yela
la, vomi wua, kanjoHWua,
kpgni
Consternation, n., miiamua
Constipate, intr, v,, kembele
Constipation and constella-
tion of Orion, konu ngu,
lit. the handle of an axe
Constrain, tr, v,, kponda,
no, li noi ngi ma
Constraint, n.,hinda kponda
Construct, tr. v,, gb&te =
kpate
Consult, tr. v., ngii-hlte
Contain, tr, v,, so = jo ; con-
taining much, kvL
Contempt, n., bo, slo, sonde.
To express contempt by
sucking the teeth, jonde
Contemptuously, to treat,
sasi, voir
Contentand contentment, w.,
ndlla ndileli. The boy's
contentment with every-
thing he had, Kdop5i
ngi lelingo hani gbi vangi
yeya
Contention, n,, njfa-njia
Continually, adv,, lei, pepe,
takpa, yolo, kunafo
Continuance, verb, n., noma
Continue, tr, v., no, yS, liiva,
yayema, Igmbi
Continuously, adv., d&nQ
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
177
Contract, ir, and intr. v.,
tguyo. To assume a
rumpled form, kutu
Contradict, tr, v., magbia,
magbiango
Contradicter, n., njla ma-
kpiamo
Contrary, to be, velongo •
Control, tr, v., mahugbe
Controversy, n,, mahali
Contusedly, adv., kpi
Convened, adj., sombo
Convenient (day), hiilango
vo; convenient time, wo-
koila
Conversation, n., mahali,
nje pe, njepe
Converse, intr, v,, nj§pe =
yepe
Convocation, n,, kome
Convulsion (fit), n., hfga
Cook, tr. v., nglli = yiU
Cook, w., mah§i ylli-mo
Cooked soft, ndiiwa, kondo
Cooking pot, kgve
Cool, adj. and n., lele, nde-
li ; cool heart = peace,
ndileli
Copiously, adv., yoto
Copy, tr. v., poko
Coral, n., kuaji
Cork wood, n., ngSv?
Com, n., mba, ng9hiti, nyo
Comer, n., kundo, tQhu
Corpse, n., niimu hango,
poma = w$ma
Corroding disease, n., ^je-
njeve
Cormption, n., manylmi
Cost, costly, kpango, bai
gol^nda
Costiveness, k^hii h^n
Cotton, w., fande ; soft cot-
ton, fand§ yiiff
Cotton thread, fandf limbi-
ngo
Cotton tree, fande wiilu,
ngiiwo. Unspun* cotton,
njowe yufe; cotton ball,
fande gatf j feindo limba
Couch-grass, w., ngara be-
bea
Cough, n. and v., tohe, to-
hee, tohene
Coughing, n., tohema
Council, n., ngii hite we,
temebu
Counsel, tr. v., ndahi =
lahi, ngo
Counsellor, n., wu hfti mo
Count, tr. v.y kpa, kolonda
konila
Courage, courageous, ndido,
ndilo
Covenant, «., hula, ngayili,
ngoyelelsia
Covenant-breaker, n., ngo
yela nyani-mo
Cover, tr. v., pele, mawele,
wele, mawelengo, pu
Covet* tr. v., mani
Covetous, to be, ngama wo,
ngawo we, yama neingi;
covetous person, ha'ni li-
mo
Covetousness, n., ngamawo
hinda, i.e. having large
eyes
Cow, n., nika ha, plu.
nikani ; wild cow, tenui.
A large breed of cows
from the Df country,
denika
Cow-bird, n., yonembe
N
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ENGLISH-lfENDE YOCABULABY.
Crab; n,, ngaka
Crack, as nnts, tr, v., tete ;
cracked, gbonge, ng^ld
Crafty, adj., kas6
Cramp, n., tdtiml
Crawl, intr, v., nanga
Crazy, to be or to become,
kpbwango, gbQwa
Creases upon the neck, n.,
mb5l5 genye
tJreate, Vr. v., kpate = gbate
Creation, n., hani gbatela
tot5ma
Creator, n,, kpale-mo
Creature, n,, t^hani, kpate-
hani
Credit, n., kpa, kpagba
Creditor, n., kpa-will-mo
Credulous, adj., wekende;
ndopoi ji ngi wekindegno
Creep, intr. v., dala, t&ro
Creeper (vine), n., nge yako
Creeping grass, n., ya'ni
Creeping things, n., taro
hania
Crest of a cock, n., te jengbe
Cricket, n., petu; large
cricket, maneku, kembo
Crinerine, or crinere, a
vegetable, ng§ngel§
Cripple, to be or turn into,
glorongo
Crisp, to make, v., ng§le
Crocodile, n., ndamba; a
small kind of crocodile,
kugbf. I ngalu wii na
nii nam gbgyongo. It lays
about eighty eggs
Crooked, adj., sgku, kanu.
P§lf i jokungo
Cross, w., kpekpa ; v., tewe
Cross, <w(;'. = ugly,kp§ngba
Cross-bow, n., ndikpawa
Cross-eye, n., ngama If kpe
Crow, n., ggma
Crow-crow, n., ngwo
Crowd of persons, n., kiila,
fana = faha; crowd
against, klje ; to crowd, v.,
hugbehS
Crowing of the cock, kok5l§
Crown, n., heimbe
Crucify, tr. v., kpakpa ngii-
luima
Cruel, adj.y ndima bengo,
kpekpeli
Crumb, n., kpukpuli
Crush, tr. v., woponye
Cry, intr. v., ngg = wq,
kpau, kpad, kpawo, gba$,
giila, piUe = bule ; i biilea
angQ
Cubit, n., nunoko
Cud, n., ba-nyiima
Cunning, adj. and adv.,
kas$, mbiji ; cunning
cheat, kos9l5
Cunningness, n., kaso-hinda
Cup, n., mbola, bola*
Cupboard, n., kaha, gana
Curdled milk, n,, nono,
matingo
Cure, n., mba5, baw$
Curious, <uij., kandf
Curl, intr. v., tonyo
Current of water, vombu;
swift current, magbf nde
Curse, w., sondu ; v., sondu
gbia ngeli = yeli, yeliigo;
vote. Curse of God,
kpekp§
Cursing, spndu-sfndu
Curtail, tr. v., madfwf,
malfwf
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCIBULART.
179
Custom, n,, w^hinda ;
babit, pe blnda ; tax, njala
navo
Cut, ir, v., tewe; cut to
pieces, tetewe ;* cut down
with an axe, nwona, pa ;
cut away, pinye ; cut off
with the finger, ponde;
cut open, manwona ; cut
closely, mahaga ; cut off,
malfwe; cut into small
pieces, kpuka
Cuticle of grain, n,, gima-
gbobii
Cutlass, n., kpato
Cutlass-fish, n,, ndanye
Cutter, w., tewf -mo
_„^jr, n., saki = jaki;
one possessed of a dag-
ger, saki-mo; one killed
by a dagger, saki-ha-mo
Daily, adv.^ every day, foloi
gbi
Dainty, daintily, kese-kese
Dale, n., hindei ngiyS file
liia hii
Dam,of personsand animals,
n., koima
Damage, n., nyani hinda;
v., nyani
Damn, v., ngamone jo
Damnation, n., ndema,
mone
Damp, adj. and n., ndeli =
leli ; to be damp, If lingo
Damsel, n,, nyapo, ndapb
Dance, n, and v., kii kua
==gii giia, gbua, maju,
maya, jenjen, ka, koa
war-dance, koto gbole,
koboi, gbonjo, gbengu
Dancer, n., *gbiia-mo, gbu-
aga-mo
Dancing-place, n., gbiiama
Danger, n., ndihele
Daringly, adv.^ kiinjahii
Dark, adj., kpindi ; very
dark night, kpindi nili
Darken, tr. v., kpindi. Fo-
loi a gbindi lo magbindd.
Darkened by a cloud,
gbili
Darkness, n., kpindi, kpindi
hluda
Darn, ^r.t;.,jondo
Dart, n., vale
Dash, v., ho *
Daughter, n., nyaha 16, plu.
nyaha loisio; daughter by
marriage, ndO nyaha
Dawn, n.y ngel|-w5. Kina
ngele tatoni' a w6la
Dav, n., fol6 = volo, kii ; to-
day, ha'; all day,* ha kpen;
some day, on a certain
day, ku tenga ma; the
second, third, and fourth
day future, feyao bei ;
the second, thiri, and
fourth day past, feyao me;
day before yesterday ,'gege
Daylight, n., kewo ^ kevo ;
daybreak, ngelf W9
Dazzle, dazzled*, iniamia
Dead, death, n., ha; dead
body of any kind, poma
= woma ; to be dead,
hango ; dead person, ha-
mo ; the place of a dead
person, hama ^
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Deaf, adj., ngoli hii gbonda
Deaf person, ngoli hu gbo-
nda-mo; stubborn
Deafened, ngoli hii gbindi ;
I am deaf, nya wohu
gbendingo. Ngghii gbo-
nda-mo. Deafening sen-
sation produced by loud
noise, ti-ti-ti
Death, n., ha, def. st. hei ;
hala, halei. Death in
an unusual form, mami-
ha
Death-bed, n., ha gbuko
Debate, inir, v., tikpo; n.,
njia-njia hinda
Debt, n., kpa = gba, kpagba,
kule ; to be in or to incur
a debt, kpei hou ; to pay
a debt, kpa gbiala
Debtor, w., kpa = gba, kpa
hou-mo
Decanter, n., sani
Decay, intr, v., nyani ;
decayed, ndula
Deceit, n,, mbaya = baya-
hinda nugole, kafa-hinda,
kpowa, hiiyande, peni
hmda
Deceitfulness, nugole
Deceive, tr. v., nugole hiiya-
nde, kafa yande ; deceive
by promises, manja, kode
Deceiver, n,, baya-mo, nya-
nde-mo
December, the moon of,
pond?
Deception, n., t5ma-hrnda,
huyande-hinda, ngande
Deceptive person, kas? peni
Deceptive talk, «., bande-
bande, yara
Decide, tr. v., tewe ; decide
in favour, temu; decide
against, le, nde
Decrease, tr. v., beli, gonge
Decree, tr. v., pelu
Deeptodj., susii = jiiju, yiisii ;
to be deep, susiingo, yti-
siingo, huyusiingo
Deeply, adv., du
Deer (black), n., hfke =
hege, ndopa = lopa, tuo-
wiilo, ndagba ; water-
deer, kpema
Defame, tr'. v., ngafa
Defend pleasantly, hu-ne
Defile, tr. v., nyani, ng9to
Defraud, tr. v., kafa
Dejected, to be, become, li
nyandingo
Dejection, n., li nyani, li-
hele
Delay, tr. and intr. v., nde-
mbi= lembi, kpende, le-
nge, magbeli
Delicious, adj., neni
Delinquent, n., kpende
Deliver, tr. v., kpia ve gula ;
deliver a message or
thing sent, mag5na; de-
liver, i.e. redeem, ngumao
= wiimao
Demand for payment, kpa-
yla; xirgent demand for
payment, kponda
Den, n., kpiilu, buli ; hollow
of a tree
Denial, intentional, n., kege,
mali
Dent, v., tlvo ; turned in
Deny, tr. v., magbali, ma-
gali mahali, k^ma
Depart, intr. v., kpia hCl;
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
181
one that departs this life,
ndou-mo
Depend on, tr. v., vara-la
Depopulate, tr. v., ghovo
Depressed, adj., vengolo
Deprivation, n., hinda male
Depth, w., pali hii, njei
ndown
Deranged, adj.,ghowa,, gboa.
i gbgani
Deride, tr, v., ngele = yele
Descend, te = de, ye, hite,
yewe
Describe, tr. v., mahaga
Desert, w., ngolo
Design, w., kege
Desire, 15, mani
Desirous* of gain, hani
mani
Desolate, tr. v., t^mbolo,
gbov6, njola
Despise*, tr. v., t5 = do,
toma-d6lo, mindi gbele
Despiteful, adj., nu ; de-
spiteful person, nemumo
Despond, intr. v., vengolo
Destitute of sense, bfingo
nemahfi
Destitution, w., feli
Destroy, tr. v., pa, wa, ny§,ni
Destroyer, n., pa-mo
Destruction, n., h&, pa-
hlnda, ngo
Destructive power of witch-
craft, mato
Detain, tr,' v., madewf,
kpende
Deteriorate, v., nyamu
Determine, tr. v., ngaylli
Determination, n., nguhti
hei. Nya wiii huhfingo
htodei ji w§
Develop, tr, v,, gbegbe, gbe-
kpe
Devil, n., poro yafo, i.e.
the impersonation of the
ruling spirit of the Poro
institution
Devour, tr. v., kapu, nyoyo,
me
Dew, n., lugbu, ningiya
Diarrhoea, w., kohii-gbia,
kohu lewe ; to cause
diarrhoea, kpukpula
Die, intr, v., ha, hala,
hango
Differ, intr, v,, kpa = gba
Difference, n., hiiwoya
Different kinds, kege, ke-
wele
Difficult, adj., kpakpao
DiflSdence, n. ngiife
Dig, tr. v., mbg, bo, and bo,
jeuja
Digger, n., mbo-mo
Digging, verb, n., mbola
Dilatoriness, n,, nabenje,
benje
Diligent, adj., panda-wanda
Disease, n,, bigbe; various
kinds of disease, hfgbe
gegelsia. A disease which
destroys the sensibility
of the nerves, kesi higbe
Disgrace, tr. v., sambo =
jamb6
Dish, r?.*, kalo
Dishearten, tr. v., li nyania
Dishonest, solo nyamu
Dishonour, tr. v., ta p6wo le,
pamb5, bele nyami
Dislike,' ^r. v., d51o, lolongo
Dismiss, tr. v,, kpele, gbe,
gb§l$
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULAEY.
Dismount, tr, v., hite, i hitea
ngi joi mahu
Disobedience, n., w5hii
gbonda, tehn
Disobedient person, n.,
ngohu Rbonda-mo; pin.
ng5li htl gbonda-belgsia
Disobey, tr, v,, tehu.gbia,
tehii wf
Disorderly, ac^v., yeyS ; dis-
order, «., yeye-hlnda,
biij6 ; disorderly in work,
fuyii, ngele
Disperse, tr, v., fSya, njanja,
yanja
Display, fond of, mala,
ndakpao ngi matango
Displease, intr. v,, kpale,
tpma, d5lo
Dispose, ndi to = li d5. I
was not disposed to go,
Nya li i doni li va
Disposition, 7».,hlnda; good
disposition, hinda yfk-
pengo; bad disposition,
niuda nyamiingo. Grood,
so yekpe ; bad, so Dyamu.
Dispiosition to avenge
every injury, ngii hu nyS-
mu
Disputation, to hold, ma-
hale hou
Dispute,* tr, v., mali, ma-
hali, va, fa. Disputative,
la-gbanga, ndikpo = ti-
kpo
Disregard counsel, ndombu
Disrespect to another,
ndombu
Dissatisfied, to be, ndl wqIo
Dissolve, tr, v., ng51o
Distance, n., kuhama
Distant, adv,, po hu gnha-
ngo, kHha, f^fen, fafbn
Distilled liquor of any kind,
nd<?
Distinguish, tr, v., ke, ge,
i.e. show ; i ngi genga
Distressing event, n., hInda
gbougbou
District, n,, lata
Disturb, tr. v., fowoli,vawQli
_ yeye, ngf 1$
Disturbance, w., yeye-hlnda
Ditch, n., p6pa, pola
Dive, tr, v., ndombu =
lombu
Diver, n., ndombu-mo =
lombu-mo
Diverse, adj,, kege = gege ;
diverse things, &nda
gegea
Divest of clothing, gambi
Divide, tr. v., kole = gole,
kolengo; divide among,
luahu, yanga ; divide
equally, huhei
Divination to find out can-
nibals, tong5ro
Division, n,, kekele
Divorce, n., kpele, i.e. to
leave ; a bill of divorce-
ment, kpelema gole nye-
glngo
Do, tr, v., pf , pf 1§, w§, wf If ,
pela, wela, doing, to be
done, wengo, pfngo; do
now = if you please, kone.
Pele-hinda
Doctor, n., ha1§-mo, half
gbate-mo. Half moi i
waa higbe-moi halema,
The doctor has come to
cure the sick man
\
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jaiGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
183
Doctrine, n., ka, kara =
ga gara ; def. st. gai
and gaei plu. gaesia^
garei
Dog, n., nglla = ylla; bitoh^
ngila ha
Doing, verb, n., wela, we-
hinda
Done, pcLst part, wfa,
wenga, wengo, kpoyongo
Door, n., ndala = fa, pela,
i,e. the mouth or open-
ing. The door itself is
nete; doorway, ndawe
Dotted, adj,, nyegi
Double, oSy. and v., koto;
reduplicated, kotokoto
Double-minded, ndlfele
Double-tongued, ne fele
Doubt, »., gbendela
Down, adv., mbu, bu, gege
Downcast, li nyani. Ngi
li nyania
Drag, tr, v,, ndala, nda =
la. A mu ndendei la.
Kpondo, drag heavily
Dragon-fly, n,, kpakpani
Drain, tr. v., beli; drain
from, majf nde
Draught, n., gawama
Draw an inference, v,, nga-
kpia ; draw out, malaJa,
ngahQ ; draw heavily,
kpondo; draw back, as
the' hand, gawa. Nda =
IS.. I ye lama kpiilu wa,
He was drawing near to a
large cave
Dread, fear, ndiiwa = liiwa
Dream, n., hgnga
Dreamer, n., h§nga-mo
Dregs, n., kp9
Dress, n, and v., ngfli=ylli,
yamb9, magbate
Dried up, pot§; dried meat,
hua bf
Drink, tr. v.,kp61e = gbole,
n,, hani gbole'
Drinker, »., kp5le-mo ;
drinker of wine, ndo-mo
Drip, fall in drops, hite
Drive, tr. v,, kpia; drive
out, gbiala, kpegbema,
tukpe, magbe
Driver, w., kpia-mo ; driver-
ant, kowo
Drop, tr, v!, kiila ; intr. v.,
hite; n,, drop of dew,
P9W0, take
Dropsical person, n., nanga
higbe-mo, njl higbe-mo
Dropsy, w., nanga higbe ;
palsy, fe^ hIgbe
Drowsy, ddv.^ bQngi
Drum, n,, gbondo, said to
be covered with a human
skin; war-drum, vanga
yembe, mbili, plu. blleisia,
mblli wongo, sangba
Drummer, n., mblli yf li-mo.
Kele yeli-mo
Drumstick, n., kele-kpaS
Drunk, to be, ndo-'hou-hii
Drunkard, n., ndo-hou-mo.
Ndo i ngi houa, lit,* Wine
holds hun, i'.e. he is drunk
Drunkenness, n,, ndo-h6u-
hlnda
Dry, adj., be ; to be dry, bf-
ngo, beli,'mbe, gall, ggvii,
hube ; to dry the surface,
mabf
Dry-eye, n., nyama bengo,
i.e. to be brave
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184
ENGLISH-MENDS VOGABTTLABT.
Dry season^ n., ngovO or
ngev5, ngele-vo,' from
November to April
Duck, n,, lolo, plu. lololsia
Dull, adj., ngaba, hango
Dnllne8s, n,, sgaha; dull-
ness of hearing. Ti wo-
llsia ti hngbondoa njla
meni va, lit. They have
squeezed their ears not
to hear the word
Dumb, adj. J mumu, ndamu-
mu, mumungo
Dumbness, n., ndamumu
Dumb person, n., ndamumu
mo, mumn-mo, ndanumu-
mo
Dunce, w., kpowa-mo. It
also denotes a person not
connected with any society
as the Poro or Sande
Dung, n., kpo or kpg, ndo-
hn
Durable, adj., ndembi = le-
mbi (tarrying)
Durst, imp. of dare, la = to
have the heart
Dust, w., polQ polove
Dust-bin, n,y f&fiil|, kpii-
kpulu
Duty, n., hlnda wf. Tax,
njala-navoi
Dwarf, «., tiimbu, njajSla,
tamu
Dwell, intr. v., h?, h§i
Dwelling, n., yim'a, i.e.
sleeping-place
Dye, for the second time,
ftse; for tiie third time,
ngamo
Dysentery, n,, S§nd9 higbe
E
Each, adj., gbi; each person,
numn gbi. "When gbi
is nsed with the definite
form of nouns, it means
all, every one — wa a kolo-
Isia gbi beindo ; when used
with the* indefinite form
of the noun, it means, no,
no one, not any — h& wa
a kolo gbi beindo." (?)
But frequently gbi is
found negatived by the
lengthening of the vowel
into gbi.
Each other, reflec, pren.,
nyonyo
Eagle, n., kgwo, kowe ; also
nsed for hawk
Ear, n., ngoli = woU; ear
of com, nyQ hokpb
Early, adv., tete; very
early, tetetete; early In
the morning, tete a Age-
nda ; to be early, hiimbu,
bi hiimbua; early rice, n.,
pendege
Earnestly^ adv., tin, li gbi.
I hea a (ndl) li gbi. He
prays with all his heart
Earring, n., ngSlI hovule ;
viile = fiile. Finger-ring,
tok? ma vule
Earth, n., ndQlo = lo; ndge,
def. St. ndoei; pglo =
pgro
Earthen vessel, n., pgro
haka, poro-ve
Earthquake, n., kpglini
ndQloi. NdQ gbf lingo
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
185
Earthy house, n., wgro baba
welei-porage
Easily, without eflTort, mete
East, n., ko ; eastern region
ko yaka ye yama
Easy, adj., bebe; to be easy,
bebengo, bewe
Eat, tr. V,, me, mehe me ;
eat fruit, wa me ; eating
much,mehell, mehellngo;
eat through as worms,
kpiita
Eater, w.,melr-mo, mehelftno
Eaves, window, n., jende
Ebb, n,, bell
Eclipse, n,, ngangoma, nga-
ngoba, nyangoba
Edge, n., nda = la = ya.
The edge of the knife is
blunt, MbSwei ya hango
Eel, n., tupu, tupunye,
kStonye
Egg, n., ngalu, ngaru =
yalu, plu. ngaluisia
Egg-plant, n., peli, k6jo
Eight, num. adj\, wayakpa,
woyakpa
Eighty, num, adj., nxk nani
gbi^yongo
Ejaculatory prayer, n., so-
ngba nga gula. Used by
members of the Poro
Eject, tr, v., pill
Elastic, adj., poju, yovu,
navl
Elbow, n., noko
Elder persons, ndebSla, nde-
belfsia = lebelfsia ; elder
persons of both sexes,
mama
Elect, tr. v., hiiwoya; the
electa hiiwQya golsia
Election of grace, n.,mahou ;
mah6u-yau-wanda
Elephant, n., hele. Also the
tusk-ivory top* in a play
Elephant-hunter,w., kamasQ
Elevate, tr. v., te = de
Eleven, num. adj., pii mahii
yela, plu. yelafsia
Emaciated, tava, wojSjf,
kovo, kale, w6je ; to be or
become emaciated, ganya
Embrace, tr. v., kuru =
giiru
Embroider upon cloth, none
Emigration, 71., kpiile, i.e.
remove from
Emit, tr. v., pili; emit
sparks, ne; emit wind,
ndoku, ndokii wiilu
Empty, adj.f haka ; empty-
handed, ngeya haka; tr.
v., hxkwQ, hugbia. Kanai
hugbia *
Encampment, n., ko yilima
Encircle, tr. v,, mSrgata,
kavl, kuru
Enclosed place, n., kata;
also fence
End, n. and v., ngakpo,
kelema, keke gbei ; wela.
To have ended, finished,
k^ma. The end of the
world, ikelema, ndo gele-
ma. To end, tr. v., kele
Endure, tr. v., ngakpla,
lembi
Enemy, n., konyo, yafe
Energetic, adj., fdla ; with-
out energy, faka lewe
Engage, i.e. hire, huveli
English man or thing,
y§ng§8i
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186
BNGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Engrave, tr. v., nyegi
Engnlph, v., magbole =
swaUaw up
Enlarge, tr. v., wolo we,
kombS
Enough, adv,, kiingo =
gungo, kurungo; it is
enough, i guni
Enrich, tr. v., kpate
Ensnared, to become, kg
Entangle, tr. v., hfiylli
Enter (a ship), tr. v., fo hu,
wiii
Entice, tr. v., kgde, gole;
enticing words, njia
menai, nepo yfa
Entirely, adv., son, sita, fe,
fo, fa, ve, kpokporo
Entrapped, to become, ko.
Nyei i gga a b6mo, The
fish is caught in the net
Entreat, tr. v., .manene,
kone
Envious,ac5;*.,toma; envious
word, toma yifi
Envy, n., toraa ; an evil eye,
ngamanyamu, tomahinda
Epilepsy, w., kpongbgni
Equal, (wi>, iigaheu, jongo,
mahewu; v,, to m&e
equal, ndakpao ; an
equal, tfinga; one equal,
nyQnyo
Equally, adv., sala
Erect, tr. v., to
Err, intr. v., bola = wola =
pgla we
Error, n.', baya, gaka hinda
Eructate, intr. v., kimb?
Escape, tr. v., b§la, wela, fo
Espoused, adj., bQyani
Establish, tr. v., w§la
Eternal, adj., kiinaf(5
Eunuch, n., mbuhama,
nunl-mo; to make eunuch^
nuni
European, n., pu, piimo,
puru-mo ; European lan-
guage, puru-yla
Even, adv., be ; even so, ni
kinen. Just now he- is
dying, I ha na be. Even
as, be, ke
Evening, n., kpoko, kpoko
vo
Event, sad, n., manlma
hinda ; event causing
^ grief, ndima-voni; event
causing great excitement
and leading t6 bloodshed,
kpiinde
Ever, adv., kunaf5, le
Everlasting, adj.', kunafo;
everlasting life, kunafo
levui
Every, adj., gbi; every-
thing, hani gbi; every
person, numu gbi ;
every one, ngela-ngela
Evil, adj. and n., ny§,mu;
evil spirit, hgafa nyamu
and nyina nyamu; evil
thing, hinda nyamu ; evil
desires, mani nyamuisia
Ewe, n., mbala ha
Exactly, adv., kinfi
Exaggerate, tr. v., maluwa
Exalt, tr. v., mbete, bete,
de, yade
Examine, tr. v., SQgbe or
89gbe; examine carefully,
majogbe ; examine by
questioning, hu-mgli,
hugbele, hiikpekpe
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
187
Example, n., tSmbf ; v., to
make an example, kpia
fofohu
Exceeding, gbon; exceed-
ingly, ti If nyania gbon,
i.e, they were exceedingly
sorrowful : nygko gbi
Excel, tr, v., tewe = dewe
Excellency of power, te wema
gboyei
Except, conj,, ngfye, ways,
ngiye ke
Exchange, tr, v., malnve
Exchanger, n., maluye-mo
Excitable, adj., fula
Excrement, n., kpo
Excrescence, n., ndond?
Excuse, «., mawe, kavale
Execute, tr. v., nu-wii dewe
Executioner,n.,ngudewe*m6
Exercise, tr, v., maha'hiiida
w§; ko-hinda, war-drill
Expand, tr, v,, iomhQ =
vomb5
Expect, tr, v,, tiigogbf
Expert, to be, bebe, kaso
Explain, tr, v,, hugo, nda-
h§i, kpia, hune; ex-
plained away, hunoko
Expose, tr. v., foto-gbia;
hiigpnga, ndawo; expose
for sale, mage
Extend, tr, v., fombo
Exterior, adj,l p5ma =
woma
Extinguish, tr, v,, ngiifo =
Jufo, lufe, neg. e lufe
Extract, ad teeth, tr, v.,
ndgle
Extravagant, adj,, mbona
Eye, n., ngama = yama =
nyayama
Eyebrow, n,, ngama yomba,
tinje
Eyelash, n., ngama kpeka
Eye of a needle, n., inijl-
pele
Fable, n,, dome, njepe wova
Fable-teller, n,, dgmei gbia-
mo
Face, n,, ngama = yama ;
open face, ngama wongo
Fact, as, but in fact, ke* rnhg
Fade, intr, v., nyamu ; fade
in beauty, logbo = ndo-
gbg. Tifesia ti lOgbga,
The leaves* are faded
Fail, tr, v., ba, ma; fail to
support a cause, ndombu
= lombu; fail in an
attempt, kpula, ffla
Faint, intr, v., gelu, kelu,
felee, ti geliingo*
Fair, cidj., nyande
Faith, n., tonya hgu, tonya
hinda ; to keep faith, hi-
nda hou a tgnya
Faithful, to be, tgnyango
Faithful person, »., tonyamo
Faithless, adj,, ng5li hil
gbonda bondei ji
Fall, intr, v,, kiila = gula;
fallen tree, kowe, kge
False, adj., nde, le ; false
witness, nde-seli ; false
report of death,* tombe
Falsehood, w., nde-hlnda
Fame, w., tgwo = dowo ; to
be famous, dowongo
Family, n., mb5nda ; family
relatives, wonga
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188
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Famine, n., ndole
Fan, n,, fele = vele, ngafe ;
V,, winnow : fan a person,
ngafo
Fanner, n., ngafo-mo ;
fanner (the instrument),
fele
Far, adj, and adv., po, ku-
hama; very far away,
po-po-po, P9l9n
Farewell, to bid, veil ; to bid
farewell in the morning,
ngenda
Farm, n,, kpa, kpale ; farm-
house, kpu
Farmer, n., ngbalara-mo,
kpale-mo
Farming season, n,, gbala,
gb^lei
Fast, quick, kaka, kakaka
Fast, tr, v., sii hou, houla ;
n., su
Fasten, tr. v., kpakpa, pela,
tote
Fat, to be, wulongo ; w., ngii-
lu, ngula, ngiilo
Father, w., ke, name of
respect addressed to any
man ; the natural father
is 1§, nyale, ke, ke-mo
Father-in-law, n., mbara,
plu. mba-ranga
Fathom, n., hou; half a
fathom, kponda
Fatten, tr, v., wjilo
Fault, n., kaye
Favour, n. and v., ngahu
ggle, ngau; favour with
goods luba ; ngau lewe
Favourable, to be, so yekpe
Favourite wife or Mend*,
mandTma
Fear, n., miiamua, muamii-
ango, muamiia i dea a-nge
nduwa, luwa = lua, ma^
luwa; to fear cause to
avoid, j6wi sow!
Fearful, adj,, nduwa = lua,
sowl. Ijowia ngi ma,
ngi layle muamiiango ;
maliiwa
Feast, n,, k5ma = goma ;
feast day,* koma voloi.
To keep a feast, koma *h6u
Feather, n., njombo'
February, ix' the moon
corresponding with Feb-
ruary, vii
Feeble, adj., biyo, beyo
Feed, tr. v., lago, make,
meli. Ndagoli, n., a
present of food
Feeding, verb, n., mela
FeediDg-place, n., melima,
makema, malima
Feel, tr. and intr. v., kolo,
to, ngatigo; feel pain,
bale= gbale = kpale
Feeling of hatred, ndima-
gale; lit. a bone in the
heart
Fellow, n., mba; fellow-
servant, mba-boilopo,
ndakpa; fellow-labourer,
ngengenyo
Fellowship, n., we mba hi-
nda
Female, w., ha, nyaha ; nl-
ka ha, cow ; female servant,
nyaha bQilop9, niimu-
nyaha
Fence, n., kata
Ferment, n., viile
Fermented, sag*ba, t&gba
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BNGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
189
ndo; fermented liquors
of any kind, ndo; fer-
mented sap of the ndu-
vu, palm wine, ndiiva lo
Perrale, kolu nguma
[Fertile, adj., ndole yekpe
Pervent in spirit^ ndi gafa
hu
Testival, koma =goma
Petch, tr. v., li bi wa a ; go
thou, come with = bring
Fever, w., mavula higbe
Pew, adj,, wulo, wiilu
Fibre, w., ndando ; fibre of
the palm leaf, mani ; fibre
of cotton, fande-yuf§
Field, 77., kpale, kpa; kpale
ndoloi mla. Kale, njopo
= yopo. Field burnt
before clearing, kpanga
Fiend, w., konyo
Fife, n.y kole
Fifteen, num, adj., pu mahii
lolu
Fifteenth, num. adj,, ipii
mahii loluge
Fiftieth, i nu *f§le mahii pii
gbgyongo le
Fifty, nil fele 'mahii pii gbo-
yongo
Fig tree and its fruit, n.,
ndaha
Fig tree, w., ndaha wiilo,
wiilu, wuli
Fight, n. and v., ndapi =
lapi, kowa
Fighter, associate in fight-
iug, w., ndapinyo
Fill, tr. v., fe = ve, fenda =
venda, nda ve = lave ;
fiil with food, kove, hii-v§
Film of the eye, n., t§ka
Filter, tr. v., majendS, ma-
houla, hoi a
Filter (instrument), h6la
hani
Filth, 71., manyimi
Filthy, adj., mano, ma-
nyimi
Finally, adv., ngafa ma
Find, v., koko, to, ndo
Fine (penalty), ngande =
yande; to be fined,
ngaudengo
Finger or toe, n., njio,
njiio, loko-yuo, kowo-yiio,
ylo, loko-ylo, toko-yio
Finger-nail, w., ngengalu =
yengalu
FiDger-ring, n., toko maviili
Fioish, tr. v., kpoyo =
gboyo, wela,pela,ngakpo,
ngakpa;* it is finished,
Ignda
Fire, n., ngombu = yombu ;
fire a gun, wlli, blli, pill
Firefly (star), n,, diimbe-
leka
Firm, adv., kpa
First, adj., hala; the first,
ihalage, plu. ihalagesia;
firstborn child, kpia-lo;
first in order, pen, p|i.
First, adv., nwe
Firstfruits, n,, ngiiru wei
iha-lagf
Fish, tr. v., nye kpe. Ti ya
ny ekpema, They go fishing
Fish, n., nye, plu. nyenga,
nyengeisia, nyeng^sia ;
fish of a white colour,
pele ; fish-basket, plya,
pTga ; some kind of fish.
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190
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
po1§; a finh that eatsgrass^
buani, bulu ; mullet-fish,
tombo, tiipu-nye ; elec-
tric fish, danl; eel-like
fish, jowa ; scaleless fish,
manamn-Dye ; species of
catfish, makondo, rnhQ-
mho, mbola; large cat-
fish, ndegbe; cutlass-fish,
ndanye; mangrove fish,
ngoka; very large cat-
fish, kata; a fish called
grooper, k6le-nye; fish-
ing-wire, ' kale ; eel-
shaped fish with jointed
shell, koto nye ; crawfish,
kpa, gbende, folema
Fish-basket, n., piya
Fisherman, w., nye gbema,
kpe-mo; hunter, used
with the name of the
animal, bird, fish, etc., as,
hele gbf ma a-ngie. He is
an elephant-hunter
Fishing, n., nye-gbe-hlnda
Fishing-net, n., 'mb5ma,
mbiimbu.
Fishing-rod, line, fiigba,
viilu wei, kale. Eel-
shaped, hala ; cutlass-
shaped, lanye
Fish-scales, n., nye-ga
Fist, n., bgtani
Fit, to be, hooni ; it is fit,
. mahou ; it is not fit, ma
I h5uni and e gbekpeni ;
to be fitting, be, mbe.
Fit of passion, ill temper,
ndi vula
Fitness, w., hinda houni
Five, num. adj,, lolu, plu.
lolulsia
Flag, n., kiila
Flagstaff, n., kiilu wiilu
Flame, n., ngombu vo = fo
Flashingly, adv,, piila, hao-
hao
Flatten by beating, ndewe
Flea, n., nyala; plu,, def. st.
nyalesia, and nya lelsia
Flee, mtr. v., wela, pela;
one who flees, p^la-mo
Fleet speckled hawk, n.,
sekul5
Flesh, n,, ndiiwu, ndu = lik
Fleshy, adj., nduwu
Flexible, adj., bebe, navT;
ngurui navi navingo
Flight, n., wela
Flint, i.e. gun-flint, kpande
gotu
Float, intr. v., pova = wova ;
floating earth or "dirt
suspended in water,
ndukpu ; float for a flsh-
hook, kpehgbe; a raft,
float, 71., kpahS
Flock, n., faha = vaha ; v.,
vahango. Flock, as of
birds, school, fish, crowd
of persons, kulu = giilu.
NwQni gului i lewf asangi.
The flock of birds is pass-
ing by quickly. Flock of
sokelf, small sparrows
Flog, tr. v., ndewe = Ifwf ;
the person who flogs,
ndfwe-mo
Flood, n., nja nei, nja gata
Flour, n., kpohii
Flower, n., p5wa, plu.
p5wesia
Flow out, intr. v., kpia = gbfti
Fluid, n., nja = ya
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ENGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
191
Flute, n., kole
Flutter, intr, v., bubu
Fly, w., ndi, plu. ndinga.
Ndlli; kala and kara.
Also called fo, i,e. a large
biting green and black
mangrove fiy
Fly, intr, v., gowo, piibu =
bubu
Fly-brush, w., ndivale
Flying report, w., ndanda-
kiilo, gona, kowo
Foam,' w., fula, ' fiile =
viile. Foam came out of
his mouth, Fulei a gbia
ngi la
Fold, n., mbala gatf hu;
koto, magoto
Fol(i, thirtyfblci, hii nii yela
gboyongomahiipu; sixty-
fold, hii nil sawa gbgyo-
ngo
Follow, tr. v., to with woma
Follower, n,, t^*poma-mo =
woma-mo, plu. topOma
b61a = w5ma bSla
Following, TO., topoma
Folly, n., kpowa hinda.
Tama hinda,* madama
Foment, tr, and intr., fula
Fond of display, mata
Fondle, tr, v., nepo
Food, n., me-hani, mehe,
ba = mba; food of cas-
8ada,koto bo; food for the
journey, jia gondo; food
of rice flour, leve
Fool, n., kpawa, malama-
mo, mamu-mo, plu.
mamu b^la
Foolish, Gw5/., taraa = dama ;
to be foolish, damango;
foolish person, tamo-mo;
foolish way or manner,
p5woge; foolish talker,
njepe-mo ; foolish, decep-
tive talking, bande-
bande; to talk foolishly,
sukulu
Foolishness, n., kpowa
hInda, madama hInda
Foot, n., ko = go, kQwo =
gowo
Footstep (track), n., kowo,
go jia
Footstool (seat), hei wulu,
go dowiilu
For, conj\y fa = va, for the
sake of, va; for this rea-
son, because of, jiva ; for
that reason, mia va, famia
Forbearance, to., hou ndima,
ndlhoula
Forbid,* tr, v., bali, gali,
mbali, magali ; forbidden
food, tewe, tee
Force, to., kponda, mayia,
kpaya; by force, a kpaya,
a woya; v., to force in,
tgro
For ever, adv., kunaf9
Forefoot, to., toko
Forehead, to.,* tawa; my
forehead, nya dawa
Forenoon, to., ngenda, v6l6
Foreskin, to., bula; to* fee
cut in the foreskin, bula
dewea, pondi, soli
Forest) to., ndogba, ngola;
beasts of the forest, ndo-
gba-hania
Foretell, tr. v., humbu nde ;
one who foretells, ti^wc^-
ma yla If mo
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ENGUSH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
Forewarn, tr. v,, nemaha
Ifwe. Angeli i ngi nje
nemahu leweni, The angel
forewarned his mother
Forget, tr, v,, forgetfulness,
ndema = Ifma
ForgiVe, tr. v., manu,
manungo, mannmango
Forgiveness, n., maniima,
manuma-hinda
Fork, tr. v., towa; forked
tree, to fork, to branch
Form, V. and n., pa, gbambi ;
form into by beating,
ngeli ; form a ball, kate ;
form a ring, to coil, fuko ;
form a line, mawovi loko
hii, lokpe, ngggba
Former, n. and adv., ngova
= wova ma
Formerly, aforetime, adv.,
wggba, wo
Formidable, adj., maliia,
maluwa
Fornication, n., wojigbe,
woji
Fornicator, n., wojigbe-mo
Forsake, tr. v., gbfle *
Forthwith, adv., ke-yakpf,
hii-yakpe
Fortification, n., dada
Fortifoot, n., ndondo
Fortune, good, ngama-gole
Forty, num. adj., nii f§if
gboyongo
Foundation, n., ndambu,
yarama
Four, num. adj., nani
Fojirteen, num. adj., pu
mahu nani
Fourth, ord. num, adj.,
nanig^, inanigf
Fowl, n., te, def. st. plu.
t§nga; bush fowl, sasalo,
like the kokyye; ndo-
gbole; a large male fowl,
koka; a kind of guinea-
fowl, kponda
Fox, n., ndanda-kiilo,
nyangb§
Fragile, adj., fiike
Fragment, n., kpahama =
gbahama, plu. gbahame-
sia
Fragrance, fragrant, n.,
kuneni ; a fragrant gum.
Frankincense, n., kpeje-
bonda, mg
Fraud, n., baya ; by fraud,
a baya
Free, to be, baongo, bawo-
ngo; lit. thou'art thy own,
thou hast thyself
Freely, adv., gbama = gra-
tuitously, without a re-
turn ; masa-boma. I fea
masa-boma. He gave him
freely, without any return
Freeman (citizen), maha 1§
Fresh,ac?;.,ngimda = wiinda;
fresh meat, hUa wiinda;
fresh (= clean) palm oil,
semale
Fretful, adv., mamaya
Friend, n., mbo, ndakpe,
ndakpa, ndia-mo
Friendship, n., mbo-hmda
Fright, n., ndiiwa ndiia =
liiwa liia
Frighten, tr. v., hiiyand§,
yandf, ngandf, hiihele,
hiiliima
Fringe, n., vanja
Frock, n., yamb§
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^SSmASB'UESim yocabulaby.
193
Frog.n., gbegbe; a speckled
frog used for food, jiben
Frolic, n. and v., loU
From, prep., hfi, ma
Front, «., Ulbu, Itigo
Frost, TO., hako
Frothy saliva, to., gogo, goprof
Fruit, »., ngti, plu. 6gua;
def. St. ngfif i, plu. ngiiisia
= wu wua,*wuesia. Fruit
of any tree, ngiiru wuft ;
ngeyako wu&
Fry, ir, v., ngele
Fulfil, tr. v., wf, wela
Full, adj., yenda, ndava;
to be full, ndavengo
Fuller, TO., kii]a-g(>ie-mo
Fully, adv,, sila
Fulness, n., nd&vf hinda,
lavei, lavengo
Fun, n,, salfe
Funeral, n., tenjama
Funnel, n., tdla
G
Gain, as skill, tr, v., mbell
Gait, TO., jiagi
Gale, TO., fefe
Gall, TO., ngwangwa, tambo,
nwQua
Gkime, TO., sigo. The palm
But or ivory top in the
game is called si, te
Garden, to., kat§, kSt$ hfi
Garment, to., * mayi-gola,
maylli-ggla, m&ylll hiika
Gate, TO., ko ; plu. kolsia ; a
large gate of sticks, w5-
nj51a, w6nja; door of
bamboo, nete
Gather, tr, «., Ag&ndo = ya-
ndo, wukpla, njgnjo, nda-
joada, kpevu
Gatherer, to.) ngando-mo =
yando-mo
Gkthering-place, to., Bga-
ndoma, ngandola
Gazelle, to., towa wiil5
(Jenealogy, to., mbonda =
bonda
Generate, tr. v., nde = le
Generation, to., mbonda =
bonda
Generous, ctdj,, ndlma wftni
Genteel conduct, n,, fiama
hinda or h&ni
Gentile, to., kafri-mo
Grentle, to be, yebingo
Germ, to., fale
Get, v., JQ = *so
Ghost, TO., ngftfa = yafo ;
nene
Giant, to., makiili
Gift, TO., mb5ya hani, b^ya.
hani
Ginger, to., kije
Gird, tr, v., mbembe, iiglli
GKrdle, to., tebe
Girl, TO., nyaha' lopo, nyapo ;
one initiated into sande,
mbogbeni
Give, tr. v., nyg = gg, f$ =
▼f . ngo = yo ; give back,
ng&ma = yama ; give a
present, fanda. I nya
wandaa a mehe. He made
him a present of food
Giver, to., fe-mo
Glad, to be) gahii gbia, kp-
hiine, neingo
Glassy, acfj., neku
Glory, TO., lalo, mav6,mbflf ,
bfl§ ,
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194:
ENOLIBH-MENDE YOCABULARY.
Glue, n., nail
Glnt^ v,y mell
GlnttoD, n,, mell-mo
Gluttonous, adj., mehell
Gnash, tr, v., yongolui hg-
ngo, yajia
Gnat, n., fiilu-hani, tull,
bumu ; gnat with a long
snout, w., tull
Gnaw, intr. and tr, v., mame
Go, intr. v., li, ya. The sun
goes down, foloi i yama.
Go up, te = de ; go back,
yama ; go through, ngafd ;
go about, 1616. G<>ing or
gone, lingo; used with
sa, signifies acceptance, —
sa i lingonga. Go about
doing errands or light
work, 16t6 ; go on a jour-
ney, jia
Goat, n., nje, def. st. yf i
Goat-pen, n,, nje giill. A
plant poisonous to goats,
nj^pa, i.e. goat - killer.
Bush-goat, n., tewe.
God, n., Ngewo = YewQ ;
Qod's dwelling - place,
Ngewo da-hfi ; God's
i^ffiftirs, requirements,
NgfwohlndajGod'scurse,
vengeance, Ngewg goto;
God's favour, Ngewo* hl-
iida yekpe; G<)d's nature,
ISTgewo longQ
Godhead, w., Ngf wgya, def.
st. Ngewo yei
Godly manner, n,, ngf woge
Godly person, n., ngfwQ-
mo
Gold, n., kani gb6le
Gronorrhoea, n., kluiya
Grood, adj., kpengo, y$^Pf »
yekpengo; to be or be-
come good, nyandengo,
yegbengo
G<)ods, property, n., f§-hfini,
SQ-hani
Gorilla, «., gbfgi
Grospel, w., njia yfkpe. Wa
n^a yekpei le
Gossip, n.,n(}encl§; v.,bande-
bande
Gossiper, n., ndfndf-mo
Grace, n., manuma hinda,
hinda yekpe, bawa, yau-
wanda, ngau-wanda
Grain, some kind of, n.,
mendf nyo
Grandchild, n., tal5
Grandfather, n., mamada*
Grandmother, n, , mama, plu .
mamani, mamS-mama
Grasp, tr^ v., kpunde; grasp-
ing, ndl-wQlo
Grass, n., foni, kpiti, njata^
warsi, ngg.ra
Grasshopper, n,, kondOj
papapoli
Grassy, adj\, magbiti
Gratify, tr, v., ndane
Gratuitous, adj\ and (tdv.,
gbama
Grave, n., kamba
Grave-digger, n., kamba-bo-
mo sekendei
Graveyard, n,, sekenda
Gravity, n,, niiwagf
Graze, intr. v., meli
Grease, n., ngongg = wggi
Great, adj., ngglo = wglo.
To be great, ngolongo,
ngawglongo =wQlongo =
wgngo ; wa, del st wai ;
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EXGLISH-MENDB VOCABULARY.
19a
wawa, wawalsia ; mba,
mbawa, banga. Great
man, sama; great in bulk,
tolo and toTotolo; great
in grace^ &gania wanda
wa
Great-grandparent of either
sex, n., mama-da
Greediness, n,y koma
Greedy, to be, kdmango ;
one that eats greedily,
niehall-mo; greedy, ndi-
nyamu; greedy person,
ndl-mo
Green, n. and <idj., ngundu,
tala, kp61e = gole
Greet, tr, t;.,*fama ; n,, fama,
plu. famSa
Grey,arf/.,p5wa; grey hair,
powoi
Grief, n., kpal6; v., cause
grief, feveu
Grievous, adj\y ndlma voni ;
i.e. an event causing grief,
ndl nyani hinda. Ti
lima vQningo le, They were
grieved in their hearts
Grind, tr, v., fuka, wgponye,
kpongbo
Grindstone, n., ngakpa-gotu
Groan, intr. v., hikpe
Grooper, some kind of fish,
kSlenye
Gross, their heart is, tl ll i
mjnia
Ground, n., ndole, poto =
polo = pQro
Ground-nut, w., nakile
Ground-pig, w., kiwulo
Ground-squirrel, w.,* kai-
kul5
Grow, intr, v., nyap6, se-
mbe; grow up, sembengo
= j*embengo. La, la^ba,
kpovo, ndgla = lola, vale,
ndakpa
Growl, intr. v., kpele
Growth, n., ndola
Grub of a kind of beetle, n.,
kpokpo hogo
Grunt, i/i^r.V, hIkpe
Guard, tr, v., hiigbe, kpe,
kpele
Guardian, n., hfigbe-mo,
mahiigbe-mo
Guest (stranger), n., hota,
plu. hotanga
Guide, n.j tiiwo-mo
Guilt, w., kaye*
Guiltless, n., kaye i ti ma
Guinea-cock, hokf-hfna
Guinea com, n.* kpele-nyo
Guinea-fowl, n., hoke', kpo-
ndo
Guinea-hen, w., hoke-ha
Guinea-worm, w., mbolo
Gullet, w., mb5l6g9t6
Gum, n., giate, ganyi ;
toothless gum, nendi
Gum, n,, kpawiilu, i,€. a
fragrant kind
Gun, n,, kpande
Guncap, kpande vanja ;
one that fires a guncap,
kpande wili-mo. See
Hunter
Gun-flint, kpande gotn
Gunpowder, w., dehe
Gunshot, kpande gale
Gush, intr, v., kpia
Gut, w., pulu = biilu ; puru
wa
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196
ITNGLISH-IIBNDB VOCABDLABT.
Habit, n,, hinda
Hades, «., ndou
Hail, n,, hako
Hair of the head, ngiindia
= wundia; hair of the
body, ndf ga ; hair of
animals, njombn and njo-
mbo ; braided hair, ngii-
fele! Ngiifele ngi wiimba.
Short hair, ngunia ; hair
loosened, unbraided, or
uncombed, ngiifiilo. Nj5-
mbo-wulu, n., a kind of
hairy tree
Half, n., ikekele ; t.e.kekele,
piece, part, fragment ;
half a fathom, yard,
kpanda. Nguru gekele.
Half-cleaned rice, m^r
gbo-ba
Halt, adj., tala ; creep as a
child, ndolai a l&la
Hamlet, n., fiila
Hammer, n,, kpogbo; heavy
hammer, hipo
Hammock, w., mb^ma
Hand, w., toko = loko ; the
back of the hand, tSk?
woraa; right hand» yeja
Igkoi, also y eya \$koi ; left
hand, ggwo iok5i. Ngf ya
yeya. Empty handed,
ngeya-haka; close handed
ngfya-ggndo
Handkerchief, w.,kpaye amd
kpaiya ; red handker-
cbief, kpambi
Handle, w., ngii, kpaku kpe;
v., to handle as an SLxe,
iignlg ; withoat a hasdie,
mene, konu mene "
Handsome, adj,, nyande ; to
be handsome, nyand|ngo
Hang, tr, v., hele ; hang up,
hele ngeleya; to hang
loosely, njgnjo
Happen, intr. v., wf or
wele, no&Ie; what haff
happened hfiidei i yf went
Happy, to be, nga g^u
nfngo
Hard, oc?;'., kpakpa?, kp^a,
kpagbamu, kpagban; to
be hard, kpagbaiingo aiwt
kpakpaShgo ; hard wood
of a tree, t^ ; hard
hearted, kpegbeli
Harden, v., ti li kpokpoi \q,
i.e, they are hardening
their hearts; to harden
and temper, as a knife.
Bg&mo ; hardened by age,
tang6 kpojango
Hardened, ndogba ; stiff-
ened. Ti U miningo,
Their heart is hardened
Hardly, adv,, kpaia
Harken, v., W0I9
Harlot, n^, bite or hete nya^
ha
Harm> n,, kpale, nema
Harmonious, mane, m&neni
Harness, weaving, nini
Harp, n., ngeya baka
Harshness, 9?., ngalf
Harvest, w., tuhani = luh&r
ni ; degbf = dewf-gb§,
cutting time, also mb$Ja
kpei; the place, kpema
tewf, mba-be
Haste, intr, v,) kumbu, v§
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Ililt^USH-MfilfDB TOCABULABT.
197
kaka ; to be early at work,
or at a place of meeting
Hasten, tr, v., pop5, mavula,
hu-ll
Hastily, adv., dfida-ng3,sa
Hasty, adv., ndi viila
Hat, n., gebaure, nja gbiiwa ;
high-crowned foreign hat,
feta-gbawele
Hatch, tr. v., tete = date.
Ndamei ngalu f5l6i a ti
gb&ndi ke a pe ti dete
Hate, tr. v., t5ma, ndolo =
lolo, lolongo; to hat-e
and slander, kengele ma-
yell
Hatred, n^ ndfma-g&le, pin.
gelfsia
Have, v., yfya, i.e. to be in
one's hand ; as, Mbala lo
nya yf pa, A sheep is in
my hand = I have or
possess a sheep. H&ni
gbi nya yf ya. Nothing is
in my hand = I have
nothing
Hawk, tr. v., mage
Hawk, w., hf w6 kuanja, se-
kpende, sekfilo
Hazardously, adv., kimj&hfi
He, she it, ta ; also they
Head, n., ngii = wii; head
of rice, kp§.ka, neg. U,
Headache (frontal), ndogba
Head-dress, n., kp&ya
Headless, adj., w5l$
Headman, n., t&ma, tuwo-
mo
Headship, n., ngfima
Heal, tr. v., b&6 = b&ti =t
baw5
Healing, b&^la, b&w5l»
Health, n., baw6; healthy,
in health, ffilii, f&lungo
= viilungo = vungo
Heap, n.,tema, temba, nav9,
demba
Hear, tr. v., meni, njia me-
ni ; hear well, humeni
Hearing, verb, n., menila,
meni^
Heart, n., ndi = li ; ngoli,
ndlma, nemo hii = mind,
so
Heat, tr. v., kpandi, vfilf
Heaven, n., ngelS, n^le-
gohii
Heavenly one, ngele, g$hii-
g?
Heavily, adv., dii powo; n.,
pgwo wfti ji, sonya. Ti tt
miningo
Heaviness, n., ndi mini
Heavy, adj., m&mfni mini ;
to be heavy, miningo
Heavy hearted, titill, yati-
till, sipe
Hedge, n., ng§.li kata ;
hedged round about,
ngd.li bembe ma
Heed, take, mahu-gbe. Take
heed what you hear, A
pf panda na wa meni
Heeclless, adj., w6l§
Heel, n., tfgbe
Heir, n., loma'ngi ke hfima ;
lit. he is sitting in his
father's place. P6 hfini
jo-mo = wo hSni JQ-mo
Hell, w., digba
Help, n., kpo, kponya, yen-
gola; help me, gbo nya
ma, sahii, kpoma
Helper, n., kpoma-mo
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198
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Hem, n., kpokpoma; v.,
kpokpo
Hen, n,, te ha ; te hfiia, cock
Henceforth, adv,, ngeyako,
la. Euna gba na, in future
Hencoop, n., te kuli
Her, pron., ngie; for her,
ngi-we
Her own, prow., ngi-nda
Herb, n,, hakpa, tifango,
pegele ; herb with poison-
ous prickles, nana
Herd, n,, faha = vaha, kii
Here, adv., mbf = be. Nya
yenge lobe beindo or
bendo. Correllative here
. . . there, beindo . . .
mlandd
Hereafter, adv., kuna, tuwo,
tuwoma, wei
Hernia, »., luwa-hlgbe
Herself, pron,^ ngi Tuli
Hew, tr, v., hawa; hew
roughly, kpomu
Hiccough, intr, v., SQJQ, j5jo.
Hide, tr. v., ndowu = lowu ;
hid, ndowungo ; hide and
seek play, ball
High, adj., kuha, kuhama
f|ten, to be high, guhango,
soki nga guhei ; on high,
in the space* above our
heads, ngf If ya ; high bed,
n., bell
Hill, n., nglyf ; top of a
hill, ngandange ; hilly
country, ngine, IqIo
Hillock, n., mbimbile
Him, pron., ngi, ngie. For
liim, ngi-we. I wa'a-ngie,
He came to him
Himself, 6gi vuli» iigiye ;
ta yekpe, ta vuli, ta be
Hinder, tr. v., mabali, ma-
gali, magba, kpende
Hinder-part, w., wdtoma
Hindrance, ♦.«. without,
adv., kaba
Hip-joint, ti., tohfi; hip-
bones, kpokl
Hippopotamus, n., nja-
hele
Hire, tr, v., huveli ; persons
hired, huYclIngoisia
His own, pron., ngi-nda
Hit, tr. v., hija ; hit against,
ja ; hit with a stone, ho
Hitherto, i hijfni i hiti
kpelei ji
Hoary, magbiti
Hobgoblin, n., hani-wa
Hoe, n., kali; hoe-handle,
kali-ngH
Hog, n., ndondo = londo
Hoist, tr. v., pf la
Hold, tr. v., h$u and ho,
houma ; hold, stop, wait,
gbendou-le
Holder, n., hou-mo
Hole, n., ndoa, nd$wa,
ndowu = lowu, Igndowa;
hole bored, fulama; hav-
ing holes, mho. Nya
l$wa, w., water-hole, well
Hollow, n., W9ndo; hollow
stump, ngoko ; koUow in
a tree, n., kpiilu
Home, n., yf ; my home, nya
yei
Honest, adj., S(>la-wanda
Honey, n., komi and komi
yei = bee's water
Honey-bird, w., jele
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ESraUSH-MEfiTDE VOCABULABT.
199
Honeycomb, ta
Honoar, n., inb§, mbfle,
mbego, bago, ba ; without
honour, mah&
Honourable counsellor, nya-
am belema mo; honour-
able condition, n,, mbe-
leya
Hoof, n., p$ka = woka;
animals with hoofs, p9ka-
hua
Hook, n., ndoli ; v., tugba
Hoop tor climbing palm
trees, mbale, kp&ku
Hope, w., ndl-wf , ndl wf le,
ndl wf ma
Horn, n,, nd$w5 = l$w$
Horse, n., s6 = jo, kabSlo.
So hft, mare; *s5 hina,
stallion ; s$ lo, foal : cUho
suhe, suhloa, plu. suhl-
nanga
Hospitality, n„ k5ma, hota
Host, n., h9ta-ke
Hostess, n., hdta-nye
Hot, a4j\, gb&ndi = bandi,
kpandi
Hound, n,y nglla
Hour (time), n., kpf, wa-
mande
House, n., pe, pele, mawe ;
house built on a grave,
to and t$wele; farm-
house, store-house for
rice, kpiiwa ; small house
erected for twin worship,
ffla-gbuwf
House-fly, n., ndl, ndlli
Householder, n., mawe-
lebu-mo
House-top, n., ngiimba
How, adv., ayf, yf ; how
many? ndgle = Igle?
how is it? i yf na ?
We do not know how to
do it well. Me pf le gg
mu hinda wf panda
Howl, intr. v., fefei a JQle
Hug, tr. V,, kii, kiiru; he
hugs him, i ngi gua
Human, n., niimu hInda;
human louse, n., ngavl
Humane, adj\, i wfa numn
Humble, adj,, maye. Ngi ir
mayengo yele beke nd5p5
wul5. His heart is = he is
as humble as a little child
Humming-bird, n,, jengbe-
kiilo
Hummingly, cuiv,, v$n
Hundred, num. adj., hondo
an(2hondro. Niilglugbg-
yongo. See Grammar of
the Mende Language, p. 55
Hunger, n., ndgie = Igle;
to be hungry, ndole ngi
hfu
Hunt, tr. v., kpe
Hunter, n., kpe-mo, ka-
maso ; elephant-hunter,
kpande wlli-mo
Hurdle, n., kaha
Hurrah! exclam., hoy5!
Hurricane, n., feie wa;*great
wind
Hurry, tr. v., ba, pf kaka ;
do it quickly, maviila
Hurt, tr. v., kpalf = kp&i
= gbai, nf mu
Husband, n., hini and hf ni
Husbandman, n., kpala-mo
Hush! iQudo
Husk ot com, nyg gfi,
Ndggbo dgwOIsia. ^o
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200
ENGLISH-MENDI Y0CABI7LABT.
husk, mfiga$ and m&-
gaw5
Hut, n,, kpueila, baba
Hymn, w., ngule
Hypocrisy, n., baia-hlnda,
ng&ode
Hypocrite, n., baya-mo, plu.
baya-bgla, ngande-mo
I, pers. pron,, nga, ngi;
neg. nga, ngl
I mast not Ng§ wa lo, I
shall not come
Idiotic, adj., kpowa. *' Idio-
matic, Ng§wo i nygni,
God has given me "
Idle, adj,, malama, gbama
Idly, adv., konye
Idol, n., ngalia
If, con/., ji( when) ke, or kea
= kiDa, ina
Ill-disposed, ndlma nyftnu
Illegimate child, n., poeld
Illiberal, t5ko hfi h5u, and
ny§ya gondo
Ill-success, n., ndQYO
Illustration, n., salf
Image, n., gblaye, nomoll,
ng&fa
Imagine, v., to-ye
Imbecile, adj., nemahu-ba
Imitate in speech or song,
ndako, ndawdko, p5kd
Imitator, n., p$k5-mo, plu.
w$k6-b61a
Immatoe, 8615, j5l$, tf wu
yombi, tQgbe', kp^le
Immediately, adv., fdkp§ ke
- yukpd
Immodest, ngfife-bft
Impeach one's honour, mbo
le nyani
Impersonation of the Hikno
spirit, bibi
Impertinent adj., ngama
bfngo, ix, haying drj
eyes
Impetuous, adj., fula
Implacable, adj., niinga U li
ilali
Impose upon, v., Ifh^i
Impossible, gbiihama
Impotent, mbiiha
Impoverished, to become,
veU fofola
Imprecate evil, sendu or
sOndu, jondu, gb5r$
Imprecation, n., kpegbfi
Improve, v., nyande, kpe-
kpf
Impudent, adj., huwolo
Impulsively, adv., kig$
Impute, v., kpS
In, prep., hH, ma ; in order
to, va, wei, and ko-wei
Inability, n., kpaha
Inactive, gill
Incapable, gbahS
Incise, v , ngatewS
Incline, tr. v., ndl 15 = U d^
I was not inclined to gg,
Nya If I d5ni 11 va
Inclosed, tlwd
Incontinence, wull f b^n
Incorruptible, nyamlngo f
Increase, v., iye gbdtf, ndd-
la, roatd; increase tim
price, male, kOmb?
Incurable, $ b&wd
Indecent language, ndHwo.
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mOLISH-MEZfDS TOCABOLiJtT.
201
Indented, ikwonyo-nwonyo
Independent of labour, to
be, jsma
Indiarubber vine, n., jenje
Indigent, fell
Indigestible. See Gembe
Indignant, to look,' toma
gbf , ti ll tonga
Indignation^ n,, ndl dew$,
digbini
Indigo plant, n., njala
Individual (single person),
w., ngela-mo
Induce, v., nepo
Indulge, V,, ndane ; and in-
dulged
Infamy, w., ndolaya
Infant, n., ndola
Infanticide, n., nd5la wftla
hinda
Infirmity, n., mavula, del
St. plu. mavulesia
Influence, having, w&
Ingenious, adj., kkso
Inhabitant, hfi-mo,' ndolo-
hu-mo ; plu. ndolo-h"u-
bSla
Inherit, tr. v., so =«: jo, to
get
Inheritance, n., heima, wo-
. ma nav5i, pohani
Inheritor, 71., pohani jg-mo
Initiated intoPgro, ndo-
gbo-15p5
Initiation-fee, raabSlf
Iniquity, w., hinda'ny&mn;
to commit iniquity, w§
Injure, tr. v., kp&le, nemu,
. ^yftni
Injured, nylmima, nemiiiigo
Injured person, n,, nemu-
jao
Injury, n., nemu, nylmi;
to threaten to inflict an
injury, mawoko
Inmates, n., plu. mawelebn-
b31a
Inn, »., hota-wele
Inquire, tr, v.,WQk9li, m^e,
moli
Insect, n., fu-hani, fulu-hani
= living things ; water-
insect formed like a cock-
roach, njagbekpe, sini.
NQ-wiil6, piije-vgfo, da-
gbei. An insect said to
cause the ground-itch,
danginye
Inside, n. and prep., k&ht[
= gahii. Eundo, Inside
corner of a house = room
Insipid, describing the taste
of unripe fruit, adj., tlli
Insist upon, ng
Insolent, adj., woya, ngftwo
Insomuch, such, of like
kind, nyoko gbi
Install, v., ngua
Instead, adj., songo
Instep, n., ko-mahil
Instruct, tr. v., kara, ne-
mahu-df w3ni, ndahfi
Insubordinate, tehu
Insult, tr. v., hele
Intellect, n., nemahu
Intention, n., kege; in-
tended, yeto
Intercession, n,, mavale. 'See
Pelehfl
Intercessor, n., mavale-mo
Interest, n., tongo
Interior, n., kfihii
Interpreter, n., lavale
Intestines^ puru nyenye^. j
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202
eROLISH-MENDS YOCASUhART,
Into, prep,, htl
Intoxication, n., ndoliQn hi-
nda
Intricate, culj., k&nde
Inventors of evil thin^, hT-
nda nya-mu gara-b61a
Investigate, tr. v., mgli
Iquama, n., pama
Iron, n., kolu; iron pot,
kove; iron cooking-pot,
kolu-ve
Iron ore, n., kpla-golu
Is and was, deftc. v., ya.
Hlnd5 ya golingo. Is it
so ? Is it not so ? kelei
Island, n., U ; on the island,
tl-ha
Isle, n., voni
Itch, n, and v., nowo. ISTgS-
15 mi& mla. Yange, nga-
Ivory, n., hele yongolu, t.e.
Elephant's teeth
January, »., pegba. The
name of the moon corre-
sponding with January
Jar, n., sani
Jaw, 7t., ba = mba
Jealous, adj., tolo ; jealous
word, t5ma yiei'
Jealousy,* r?., toma hinda,
t9lo, tol9ma
Jeopardy, w., ndihele
Jew, n., jewu or yewu; plu.,
def. St., jewusia
Join, tr. v., ndado = lado ;
makpoala, ndald, joined
ta . .
Joiner, n., ndSdo-mo, n^-
lu-bfli-mo
Jojo, n., • the pouch of the
pelican
Journey, n., jia, def. st. jiei;
to journey westward, njf ;
to journey to the east-
ward, de
Joy, w., kohiine; greats joy,
kohune wa
Judge, n., nyama
Judge, v., seli = jeli, seli-
hindoi, pe, tewe
Judgment, ' n,\ 8eli-h£nda,
nyama-hlnda
Judgment-day, seli-v9loi
Judgment-seat, n., jeli* hei
wiilui, and nyama hf wu-
rulabu
Jug, n., babon
July, Le. the moon corre-
sponding with July or
August, nano
Jump, ititr, v., bill, wllf,
pinde = winde = blnde
Jumper, n., pinde-mo
Just, ody., tgnya, sage, sewe;
just so, klua, kluf n ; just
now, sangi
Just person, n., tonya-mo
Justification, n., tgnya-ht-
nda
Justifier, w., temu-mo. See
also Giingo. Tgnya wf-
mo, to do justice
Justify, tr, v.,temu=dfmu*
Teraule, to be in the
right. Lonya, lonyango, .
to be justified. T^nya
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XNOUSH-MENDE YOOiBULART.
203
Kafrf, n., a term of con-
tempt used by Mahom-
medans against idol and
spirit-worshippers
Keep, tr, v., gbf, gbfle;
keep the commandments,
sawesia h^a; keeping,
ngeya
Keeper, n., hfigbe-mo ;
keeper of cattle, tbh&ni
ma-hfigbe-mo
Kernel, n,, kale = g&le
Key, n., jfgi, jii, jiwi ; plu.,
def. si, jlwlsia; ciw je-
wlsia
Kick, tr, v., fall
Kid, n., nje-l9
Kidney, n., glli and toll
Kill, tr, v., p& = ba = wa
Killed, wango
Kind (sort), n., gege ; plu.
gegeisia, gege nyf i ; some
kind of lish, nyQko ; such
kind, of like kind, mb9-
nda na bondfsia
Kindle, tr, v., ng&te
Kindly disposed, ndlma
wani, cmd ndl wanda;
wandango-hinda
Kindness, n., sabu
Kindred, n., wgnga
King, n., maha
Kingdom, n., kenya = gen-
ya ; kingdom of heayen,
ngflegohiigenyei; hembe
Kingship, n., mfihaya *
Kinsfolk, n., wgnga
Kiss, n., nda-gbole hinda.
Ggmi-la, la-gQmi; jgnde
Kitchen, n,, b$la, pin. b5l5-
isia
Kite, n., hf wf and gf If
Kittim country, n., iinf
Knead, v., njombo
Knee, «., ngombi = w5mbi
Kneel, v., ngombi or w^mbi
kpagba or gbakpa; to
kneel, of persons, p§la;
to iaieel, of animals,
pele
Knife, n., mbogba, large
bill-hooked. Nalo, n., a
knife short and broad,
with a ronnded point
NgQla, a knife scoop-
shaped, used for hollow-
ing wooden vessels.
Mbowa. War-knife =
sword, ko-b5wa. The
back of a knife, blade,
konga; long-pointed
knife, Ifingi
Knit, tr, v., fele
Knock, tr, v., b^, hg;
knock down, kiila; knock
at the door, nda-le^e;
knock with the knuckleis,
koko
Knot (to tie), kpnlo; knot-
ty, kpulo-kpiilo. Ngu-
rui kpiilo-kpiilongo
Know, tr, v., bf li, kg = gg,
b§1ingo; make known,
magelL I do not know,
keni'
Knowledge, n., nemahfi
Ifwf, kara = gftra; kg-
hfnda
Knuckle, n., kenyema
Kuskus, n., gbelenyg,
nyggbfle, gbelingo
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204
JDfOLISH-HSirDI TOOABULART.
Laborious person,
yfnge-mo w&lo
Labour n. and v,, ng@ng§ =
«.,
Labourer, n,, ngfngf-mo
= yfngf-mo
Laokf tr. v., what lack I =
what is it that is left?
aboleiiaa?
Lad, »., hll6p$
Ladder, n.,* haka, kpakpa
wulu, and kpakp&o-wuru
Laden, baka mini wdp5
Ladle, w., mb^ya mitfi*
Lady, n., oyap5 mama
Lagoon, w., p5l'a-w&
Lake, w., pbpawa
Lamb, n., mbala-l$, plu.
mb&la Ifoga
Lame, adj., kpgro; to be
lame, kporongo, ndekpn.
Eoi ti lekpungo ; to cause
to be lame, nemu
Lameness, n., kporo-hfnda
Lame person, n., kpQro-mo,
ndepu
Lament, tr, v., ngQlo, kpSlft,
ngo = wo
Lamentation, 97., ngo
Lamented, wQloni
Lamp, n., hf mu
Land, n., ndglo, 1q, loi ; plu.
ndolsia = Iglsia, kenye.
Land of the liying « un-
hidden by death, ngflf
maha
Land, tr. v., tigbf
Landing-place, n., tigbima,
nja-l4 s water's moi^
Landlord, n., yali
Language, n., njla, yfia;
language of another
country, kenye yia w^kni;
Mende language, Monde
yla
Languid, adj,, biyg
Languish, intr, v,, hS
Lantern, n., hdmu
Lap, n., kpolo
Lard, n., ngiilo, ijB» &t of
any kind
Large, adj., ngglo, ngongo,
ngo ; wQuga wolongo.
Dingen, yomb§, w4
Large and heavy, sfpe;
large and shapeless,
Tabai; large and taU,
used of persons, ndaka-
nya ; large in bulk, tolo,
mbg, and mb&wa ; large
eyed = greedy, ng&ma-
wo, banga
Lasciviousness, n., m&nima
nyamua, siia, and sua
h^nga
Lash, »., ndewf , tf w5, Ifwf
Last, the, ekelemege, plul
ekelema-gelsia ; ekulo-
wiiloi
Lasting, adv., kiina-fo
Latchets of his shoes, ngi
gQko yeyei
Late, adv. (%.€. thou dost
not come soon), bi wani
kaka ; bi hiimbuni
Lately, adv., ge,s≱ also
loudly
Lath, n., kp&, j&ya
Lattice (small sticks at the
top of palisades), «.,
jegbe
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ElfGLISH-HENPE VOCJLBULABT.
205
XAugb, tnir. v., ngele =
yele
Liaughter, n., yelela, nge-
lela
Ijava of the beetle beke,
gondo vofo
liaw, n., sawa = jawa,
hounja
Ijawful, adj\, bSuni; it is
not lawful, ma i bouni,
sawe
Lay, tr, v., nda = la; lay
I hold on, gbunde; lay
I upon, pale, mala; lay a
wager, ngua
Lazy, adj., hawa, ngaba,
faka-lewg; to be lazy
hawango*
Leach, n., h9}a and h51a-
hani
Lead, tr. v., li; lead astray,
kaka ; lead with compul-
sion, kende
Lead (pewter), kumbu
Leader, n., hgu, gbonu
Leaf, n., nda = la ; to
pluck a leaf, ndg,kpfa,
ti£A; the shaking of a
leaf, a gbele tivartiva;
sweet-scented leaf, pgpo-
nda. See also Komi-piil^.
A leaf hung at the door
where death has taken
place, to prevent the
spirit entering, mbembe,
E^we, k&ma-gama, konu^
gg; plural forms, nd&e-
feia and ndai|sia. The
leaf not yet unrolled,
tiwo = liwo ; mana llwo
Jjeak, t7}^r. v., mbo, bo ; leak
steadily^ dsm&
Leaky, adv., mbo
Lean, adj,, tigbl = digl»,
ndekpe
Leap, intr. v., binde =
winde = pinde ; leap
repeatedly, plnde-plode;
leap upon, te
Learn, tr. v., ka = ga
Learner, n., kara-mo
Leamiug, n., kala = gala
Least, not the, i loni kfil5
ve
Leave, tr. v., kpele and kpe ;
take leave, ve'le, 16 ; leave
behind, ndo = 16 '
Leaven, n.^ huwe-hani
Lecherous woman, n., pgti
Leech Tawning of a large
canoe), tolo
Left hand, kowo Igkd
Leg, w., kg and kgwo
Lemon, n., dumbele
Lend or borrow, sihS
Length, n., kii-hSngo ;
leugth at which native
cloth is cut, hakpa
LcDgthen, extend, tr. v.,
kfiha
Leopard, w,, kgli, plu. kgli-
nga; nja-ggll, nd(^bo-
h$ni
Leper, n„ kpokpou-mo
Leprosy, ?i^ kpokpou, kpo-
kpolu, maL&»'tewe-brgbe
Lesson, for, t^., maye, njf^
kgnye
Lest, conj,, kg
Let down, tr. v., hite, gbe be
Level, tr. v., kiri
Lever in a trap, pepo, slpo
Levity, n., sail
4 Lewd, ad0.^ hIte
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206
ENGLISH-MENDE YOCABULABT.
Liar, n., nde-gQla-mo
Liberal = large-hearted,
ndlma wSni = open-
handed^ tok5 w6ngo
Libidinous, adj,, woji
Lice infesting domestic
fowls, miimuli
Lick, tr. V,, magomi
Lie, tr, v., nde-ggla, nde-
hlnda
Lie, intr, v., lie down, ndala,
ngata = yata; place to
lie down, ndama; to lie
upon the side, heke
Life, w., ndevu = levn;
cares of this life, ndcTui
ji ma-hinda
Life = breath, ndevu-vefe
Lift, tr, v., de, dela, le,*tb;
lift up, mbiimbu, tende-
kpa
Light, n., h6mu-vo, yate ; v.,
to light a torch, to and
t^nga
Light (not heavy), powo
Lighten, intr. v., ngelfi a
ye maro
Lightly, adv., moden
Lightning, n., inaro-maro,
mia-mla ngf 1$
Like, adv., he, beke, kina ;
it is like, wengo le so
Likeness, n., kplay§ = gbl-
ay§; nene = shadow
Likewise, adv., kIna, kinen,
kinei
Lily, n., dene, plu. denea;
white water-lily, njagbp-
ji, papelsia, nengbe
Limb (arm), n., mbfk§
Limber = expert, bebe,
bebengo, bewu, and begu
Lime (orange), n., diimb^e,
liimbele, nyenye
Limp, v., ndekpu
Line, n., ngea = ngeja =
yeya; fishing-line, fugba;
line of demarcation be-
tween water and land,
kakii
Linger, intr. v., lembi
Lion, n., masc njala, tubu
hinei ; fern, tiibuihei.
Ant-lion, kpukpiinye
Lip, n., laguru, ndabru,
ndagulu. Sawurulsia.
Protruding lip, yenjele;
thick lip, yola
Listen, tr. v., w6l5; listen
to, meni
Little, odfy., t§,jl,kele, ye^e,
kiilo; to be little, kulo-
ngo, wHliingo or wHlongo.
Mumu, plu. miimua.
Ndopo mumunisia. Nye-
nye. Little while, woi,
nyepele, and jf; a little
time since, howf i higbe
yege
Live, tr. v., ndevu = levu,
fiilu, vu
Liver, n., ny^ne and
nyene
Living, ndeviingo = levu-
ngo; living soul, ngafa
viingo
Living beings, niinga vua ;
living body, ndiiwu ;
to be alive, lembi ndevu-
hli ; live through, tf we
Lizard, n., kpf ni = gbf bi ;
lo-ngebu, njaka, paina ;
red-headed lizard, kolo
and k9l9-njaka
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ENGLISH-MBNDE VOCABULART.
207
Load, n,y haka ; heavy load,
roiui
Loaf, «., kate = gate
Loafer = town's broom, ta-
gbale
Lock, tr, v.y kpon and kpolu
Locust, n., kondo, petu
Lofty, adv., Boki
Log, w., koe and kowe
LoinR, w., h'ama, ngowo
Loneliness, n., ngelaya
Long, adj\ and adv., kuha,
kubango ; long time, kati
= ka ; long since, wokpa
= wogba, long time past,
"WO, pangi, pepele
Longevity, n,, ndembi =
lembi
Longsuffering, n., ndl or ll-
loi, ndl-houla
Look, v., kpe, kpele ; look
for, into, hftgbe, liigo-gbe,
hugbengo, hiigbele, hu-lo
Looking-glass, n,, memo
and meme
Loose, tr. v., fiilo = vul?,
fiilongo
Loosen, tr, v., njgko ; loosen
the soil, puja, fiil5, kpe-
mbo ; loosened, viiioa
Loose' sand, n,, hele nanya
Lop, nyengbe
Lord, n., ndemo = yf mo
Lose, tr. v., ndohu, iQhu,
longo; lost sheep, mba-
la iQngoi, yap9wo
Loss, n., ndghu ; su£fer loss,
ndohu JQ
Loud, adj., kpa ; loud voice,
kpa wo; speak loud, yla
ngeleya. Ngo-wa, bango-
b&ngo, ngfleya, ke s^nge
Louse, n,, ng&vl; dog's
louse, kpavi
Love, w., ndoma = loma, 16;
v., ngole =16 = loni
Lover of either sex, ndia-mo
Low, yQve
Lower point of sternum,
ndigbf ka; nje and njei : v.,
mayf
Lowly, to be, vellngo
Lucre, n., ndi-mo i le mano
jo hani va
Lump, w., tengoma ; lumps
of sun-baked earth, kporo
kpuma
Lunatic, to be, kp6w&ngo
Lungs, n., vqvo
Lust, n., manima. Ti lisio
mani-hinda nyani ma
Lustful, adj., woji
Lying-in woman, koima
Lymphatic glands in the
thigh, kpoja
M
Mad, adj., kp5wa = gb6wa
Made, done, w|ngQ
Madman, n., kp6wa-mo
Madness, filled with, gb6wa
para
Magical food, n., wfttu;
magical play, nd6-s6, loll,
kosi-loll
Magician, »., totomo, yibao-
mo kema
Magnify, tr. v., ya-wg
Mahommedan, n., more and
more-mo; Mahommedan
amulet, n., sewQ, soko;
Mahommedan prayer,
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ESrOLISH-M£Ni)E VOCABtrLART.
n,, seir ; Mahommedan
prayer-mat, sell-yala
Maim, tr. v., nemu ; maimed,
nemiingo, maletf ngo
Maize, n.,n7Q; husk of maize,
nyo gei
Make, tr, v., kpate, we;
. made, wengo; to ma^e
good, pokg nya hani nya-
ningoi woko; to make
a stew of meat and vege-
tables, pate, tanga bati
Maker, w., kpate-mo
Male, nf, hi and hfna, plu.
hfDgaancihmga; hindo,
pltt. hinga
Malediction, w., kpegbf
MaKciousness, n., * ndima-
nyamu-hlnda
Malignity, n., s^-nyamn-
banga
Man, a., hIndo, plu. binga,
kena, ta-mo
Mane, w., ngoUi, ftl
Mangrove fly, n,, fo, foi, plu.
foingalsia ; mangrove
fish, nggka. Namu-vo
Manifest, adj.^ hunge
Mankind, all, ngele-bua
Manliness, n,, hindo-hinda
Manner, n,, hindaj hlnen,
nygko gill
Many, . adj., sogbo, kpSto ;
i^ny tilings, hani-kpoto
= gboto ; many such-
like things, hani gboto
nyeko bondei, sikili ;
many in number, fusgn;
How many? nd6le =
l$le
March, month of, ny&ha-
wgli
Mare, n., kabala-h&, def. st.
hei
Mark (lii^^X '^•> kpambi
Mark, tr, v., nyegi, Poro-
bill, nali; marked^ nye-
gi, nyegingo
Market, n., felegoma, ngf*
yama, nyeyama, majii-
ma, plu. majiameisia
Marksman, n., kpande-wlli-
mo
Marriage, n., solo, nyaha
joma; the place of mar-
riage, nyaha-jo-goma
Marrow, n., ngiilu or ngnlo
Marry, tr, v., nyahajo
Marvel, n., ngiihu ba hinda ;
v., ti wiihu i wua
Marvelous, adj,, . maluanna
hinda lo
Mash, tr. v., pote and pQto
Mason, w., kolu-l)eli-mo
Mason wasp, a species of,
pewe
Mass, n., tengoma
Mast, n.f Jiwo ; socket for
the mast, jiwo-lowa
Master, n,, kf ,'ndemo, k^.
Masticate, tr. v., hfL-nyoffia
Mat,n,, h&gba, ngftla = yftk),
baliy ara, seli-yala, p^y&ra
Mat-weaver, n.^ ngala-^fele^-
mo
Matron, n., nje
Matter, n., hin'da, njia» hani
Mature, come to manhood,
ndakpa = lakpa; reach
puberty, matured (used
of females), kp^la
Maturity, state of, nd&k-
paya
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
209
Me, pron.j mbe; to me and
for roe, mb^, a-nge. Bi
kpegbe ge a nge. Show
thy parrot to me
Mealy, adj., vuse, fuke
Meaning, n., toma
Means, n., pele
Measles, w., iiyenye
Measure, w., htima ; v., hu-
mango, mola and mole,
humu gili, ba, pelu
Meat, 71., hua, ndahani, and
ndahai; meat of any kind
used as food, fresh meat,
hiia wiindu; meat-hun-
gry, desiring toeat animal
food, ndaha-mo. Mehani,
ba = mba; dried meat,
hiia-be
Mediate," adj., klli gboto
Mediator, n., hiihg-rao
Medicine, n., bale-hinda;
medicine of spider's web
blackened by smoke, tevi
Meditate, tr, v., lali
Medium size, n., sembe
Meek, adj., li leingo
Meet, tr. v., waif, naif ; meet
together, sombo, kome
Meeting, n., k9me
Melodious = sweet sound,
ngo-ne
Member, n., beke, plu. be-
kesia; member of Himo,
yabo ; member of Sande,
kporaujo
Men, plu. form, Ijonga
Mend, tr. v., jondo
Mendf , n,, country and peo-
ple; Mende-mo, native
of Mende
Mende-yla/Mendf language
Mention, n., ndage
Merchandise, «., f|le-hani
Merchant, w., felego-mo
Merciful, adj\, inamaraao
Mercy, n., manumiima, ba-
wa
Message, n,, ngo; deliver a
message, magoma, fama
Messenger, n., ndomo = 16-
mo; messenger between
lovers, tomo; messenger
of the Poro, wuja
Metamorphose, v., wote
Midday, w., folo-ngiindia
Middle, n., ngiindia, ndia =
lia
Midnight, n.,kiia-lia,kplndi-
lla
Midst, n., ndia = lia
Mildew, n. and v., sonya =
jonya
Milk,w.,nylniya; cow*smilk.
nika nyiniya ; curdled
milk, matonga = butter;
sour milk, nono
Mill (mortar), n,, konda.
Hani gbongbo gotu, mill-
stone
Mincingly, adv., kese-kese
Mind = take care, meni, fol-
lowed by ma
Mind, n., ndali = lali, ne-
mhu mani ; right minded,
ngi hemahu dewengo, ya-
kpango
Mine, jyt'on,, wo nya woll
Mingle, tr, v., makpo, iiiipu
Minister, tr. v., kpe-gbia
Minister, n., kpe-gbia-mo.
Misiri, i.q. minister or
missionary
Minstrel, n., mbaka If-mo
p
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULAKT.
Miracle, n,, kabande hinda ;
v., kabande we. * Ti ka-
band§ binda wea. They
work mkacles
Mire, n., pawa; soft mire,
poto-pgto
Mirror, n,, meme
Miser, rz., bani llmo ; miser-
ly, adv., bani-m&m
Misery, w., binda gbggbSu
Misrepresent, tr. v., mayafa,
ngafa ndane
Miss, v., fela ; miss tbe mark,
pola, bara
Mistake, n., pola = bola,
wolo
Mitten, w., bgyoko
Mix, tr, v., hiipu, kpongo,
makpo,magbgngo, hiikpo,
njiimbu = yiimbu
Mixture for anointing, n,,
fafa
Mob, w., biyo-hinda
Mock, tr. v., ngele = yele,
gbele
Moderate, adj., lele
Modesty, n., ngiiff
Moist, n. and adj., ndendei
Molar-tooth, n., kpato
Mole with a long nose, tiili
Money (goods), navg, na-
vola
Monkey, n., kwa, kua, plu.
kuanga,kuangelsia. Kalo,
knanga ti mahei mia, i.e.
Kalo is the king of mon-
keys. Ngiiwa, njaguara,
towa, keli,kuara,kpengb6
logbo
Month, n., ngalu, contr.
ngS.u ; next month, ngalu
w§kei
Moon, n., ngalu = yalu;
new moon, ngalu nina;
full moon, ngalu-lavengo;
moonbght, ngalui i bijea.
The moon corresponding
with January, pegba ;
February, tu ; March,
nyaha woli; April, biiru
or biilu ; May, ;
June, ; July,
nano; August, ;
September, ;
October, ;
November, ;
December, pondo
More, adj.y sembe, kuna;
once more, gboma
Moreover, con/, adv., tewe-
ngo
Morning, n., ngenda ; when
it was morning, kina
nggle i ye wgni; next
morning, nge wekei wgni
or W9ni
Morning dawn, n., ngf le-wo
Morning sun, n., ngenda-
Tolo = forenoon
Morrow, n., sina
Morrow, day after, sfna
ndambuai, and f§16 we-
kei ma
Mortar, n., konda
Mortise, tr. v., mbo = bo
Moss, growing in wet places,
n., nomi
Mote, 77., ka kiilo, def. st.
kai
Moth, n., fufu and fafulu,
kog^nde and konde
Mother, n., nje =' ye.* The
natural mother is nya-
Ifngei; mother of ants.
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211
kogonje ; mother-in-law,
Djemo *= yemo ; charac-
teristic treatment of a
mother-in-law, njemo-
hinda ; mother's mark,
ngewo-bonda
Motion, w., jijia jljiala
Mould, from clay, to = do.
Ta fe do, to make' a pot
Mound, n., mbimbili
Mount, v., de, hei. I hei
80 mahu. He mounts a
horse
Mountain, n., nglye
Mourn, intr. v., ngg = wo,
wolo ; mourner, w., hinda
mayehewela, hlnda mahi
hei, gbala*
Mourning, r?., wola, mama-
oma, and hlnda wala
Mouse, w., lende, tsefge
Moustache, n.l nd4ma-hii-
yomba
Mouth, w., nda = la = ya ;
mouth of a river, kpoli-
la, kpiindo-hu
Move, tr, and intr, v., jijia,
jijiala, hrje, tiipe
Mow, tr, v., mahaga
Much, adj. and w., kpoto =
gboto, panda, j§mbe,
gboh; too much, tunu,
ka ; very much, se
Mucus ejected by cough-
ing, w., tohe-gale ; nasal
mucus, komi, hokpa-ya ;
mucous membrane of the
nasal passage, kugiini ; a
leaf used to loosen nasal
mucus, komi-giile
Mud, w., pawa; soft mud,
pgto-poto
Muddy, adj,, muddle, ndii-
kpu
Mug, w., mbola = bola,
ndiimbu
Mullet-fish, n., tombo
Multipede, n., ndondo ;
flat multipede, kalondo
Multiplied by natural in-
crease, po
Multitude, n,, faha = vaha,
kpoto na, diikpehgbe,
lunya
Murder, n., nii-wala
Murderer, n., nii-wa-mo,
niingawa-mo
Murmur, intr, v,, kponye =
gbonye
Mushroom, n., tokpo-vale,
jejIa-Yale, ndi-Yale, kpo-
kpo hog6, kpowe, lale
Music, 7t., mbaka. Musical
instrument of any kind,
mbaka; also saro, sasa,
yara, ba, made of reeds
Musician, n,, mbaka yeli-
mo, ngeli-mo
Musk-cat, 71., pewiilo ; scent
of musk-cat,* bey f
Musket, long, kamba, longa
Musquito, n., piindi ;»mu8-
qulto netting, tenti; an
insect like a musquito,
mbele-lukpe
Mustard seed/pugfpo galei,
puruglpo
Must die, voote
Mutter, intr.'v,, hu-nyiima
Muttering complaint, w.,
homo-homo-yia
Myself, pron., nya-vuli, nya
yekpe-yekbe, nya wiima ;
I myselt", wiimage, nya
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212
BNGLISH-MENDE VOCABULAKY.
wuma; of myself, nya
y§
Mysterious sound or sight,
nail
Mystery, n., ndgwu=lowu-
hinda
N
Nail, «., londima and lo-
ndema
Nail, tr, v., kpakpa
Nail of the finger or toe,
ngengalu
Naked, adj., haka, mahaka,
magbuka, kambi; to be
naked, gambingo ; to
make naked, kambi =
gambi
Nakedness, n., haka-hmda,
kambi
Name, v., name one by one,
nomo ; to name for, nda-
hei, bijei wale
Name, n/, mbiye = biye =
brje; to give a name,
mbie vembi, mbije; the
name of a constellation,
ndelo; the name for
bravery, ko-bije
Napkin, w., kiilu-giitu,
kpaya
Narrate, tr. v., pa
Narration, n., hugblala
Narrow, adj\, gbengo
Nation, w., ngebu, ngelebu,
lit. under the sky* in
t'^e world, the seen world ;
all nations, all mankind,
ngele-bua, kenye
Natural death, to die, i
ha ngi wiimagl; natural
branches, ngewo-lango
bekelsia ; natural use,
lango (Rom. i. 26-31)
Nature, ta lo a ji; of such a
nature, or so it is
Navel, n., hokpo and bogbo
Near, adj, and adv., kpe,
kpelanga = gbelanga,
contr. gbea, la ; too near,
SQwi, yake
Nearly, adv', yeke, yake, te
Necessary, to be, luani.
They are necessary to
me, Ti mani lo nya ma
Necessity, n., mani
Neck, «., mbolo = bolo;
creases upon the neck,
mbolo genye
Neck-bone, n., mbolo gale
Need, n., mani, gbenga,
ndole; need of repent-
ance, pote mani
Needle, r?'., mejl and. mrji ;
the eye of a needle, miji
pele
Neglect, tr, v., lali
Neighbour, n., heinyo
Neither, conj., o — o, bao, ta
bao
Nephew, w., njagbe, yagbe
Nest, n., ta, plu. ta = town,
mo
Net, n., mboma = boma,
wofe, mbembe, kpe-b5ma,
S9bdo
Never before, wQgba; never
mind, njia gbi
New, adj\, nina
Nibble, r<., mame
Nice, adv., ngande = yandf ;
to be nice, nyandingo
Niece, w., njagbf
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
213
Night, n., kpindi, kua ; last
night, gbue, ku, def. st.
guei ; night war, kpindi-
go; all night, gbii
Night-walker, w., kpindibo
Nimbly, ddv,, kaka
Nine, num. adj., tau
Nineteen, num. adj., pu-
mahii-laa
Ninth, ord. adj., tangele.
About nine o'clock, folo-
hijingoi
Ninty, num. adj., nii-mani
gboyongo mahii pu
Nippers, n., gbanya
Nipple, n., nylni
No, adv., sago, contr. sao,
Bawo, ya
Nobleman, n., sama ; young
nobleman, sama ]agbolo
Noise, w., sole = tsole ; to
make a noise, sole we
Noiselessly, adv.,i6ke, yelin,
lome
Noisily, adv., bango-bango,
biyo, siile
Nonconductor to the elec-
tric fish, dani
None, n., niimu gbl
NooD, n., foloi ngundia, lit.
the sun in the middle.
Time about three o'clock
p.m., kpoko-voi
Noose, n., fuko, sondo,
mbowo, ndayill, ndSgili;
noose trap with spring
pole, kpaya-wiilo
North, n., hu, mahii. The
way to the north or to
the south, jengbehu-wele
Nose, n., hokpa
Nostril, n.l pele; two nos-
trils in the nose, pele fele
ngi hokpei
Not, adv.y ya = la ; we must
not, ma; I must not, ngi.
Is it not so? Kelei? I
not, nge
Notch, i;.,*k§nye
Nothing omitted, siil, mba-
oga ; for nothing, hani o
hani, hani-gbl, gbama
Notice, tr. v., mbele = bele,
yabelemani; take notice,
mema*
Notoriety, n., towa
Notorious, to be, dowango
Notwithstanding, conj., wen,
gbamaile be
Now, adv.,'n&, sangi
Numb, adj., timitimi
Number, n., kpa
Number, tr. v., kolenda,
konda kpa, pango
Numerously, adv., sikill,
wojege
Nut, n., tolu, town, tolo,
nikili, njombe, si, bisui;
a nut used in preparing
a vegetable sauce
Oar, n., lala
Oath, n., sondu = jondu,
gbolo,ngbgro, kporo, nge-
li ; to take an oath, ngua
Obedience, n., gowo
Obeisance, n., va ; to stoop
to make obeisance, ma-
gbiikpu
Obey, tr. v., ngo = w6 meni
= hear the word ; obey-
ing, menila
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ENGLISH-MENDK VOCABULARY.
Object to, v., magbia
Oblige (force), ngangoli
Observation, w.,mane-hinda
Observe, tr, v., mane, yabele,
mabele, majotifbe, mbele*
Obstinacy, n., ngiihii kpa-
kpao
Obtain, tr. v., so = jo, sqIo,
ngeya
Occasion, w., pele; seeking
occasion, pel| ne
Odd numbers," w., ngapo-
longo
Odour, offensive, ndoku-
wiilu, «.c. a tree whose
blossom emits an odour
Of, prep.y va
Off, prep., nga
Offence, w., hugg, plu.
Imgoisia. Pe-hinda nya-
mu, kpila. give offence
Offend, tr. v., li-dewe. I
am offended, Nya li nya-
nia
Offender, n., ndi-he-mo
Offering, n,, sa-hani and
ja-hani
Officer, 71., kiigba, ko-gii-
banga, kpayia le-mo
Often, adv., pepe,'hii-gbo-
toma. How often? hii-
lole?
Oil, w., ngulo = wulo, nda-
wulo ; tglu-wiilo, nut oil
Ointment, w., sia-wulo, ma-
li wuloa
Oka, i.e, early oka, nande
Okra, w., bondo
Old, adj., ngova = wova;
to be old, wovango; of
old, WQ, polon
Old warrior, w., klla-hinl
On, prep., hii, ma, ya; on
account of, va
Once, adv., \m yela; at
once, wo, sa p|, vao,
vaon ; once only, yelakpe
One, num. adj., yela; saro
yela, one orange; one
by one, ngengele ; one
taught to sing, tooibu;
one of you, wu yelage
Onion, n., yawa; small kind
of onion called yabes
Only = but, adv., leke,
yakpe, yahgo, pol'on;
kpe, as suffix. I fel|-kpe
Open, tr. v., ndawo = Jawoi
po = wo = wu; open
forcibly, pinye = binye
Opening, n., ndala, nda-
woma, WQ
Openly, adv., fofg-hfi, ke
Open space before the
house, ngiti
Opponent, n., fanyo
Opportunity, n., wokoila,
gokoli. He sought an
opportunity, I hinda go-
koli
Oppression, n., kpiinde.
He stopped oppression,
Ta kpiinde gUlao
Oracles of God, ngewQ yiei
Orange, n., diimb|le, saio,
sargsaso ; bitter* orange,
gbomgbolo
Order, in, kg, kowfi; in
order that
Ordinance (statute), n.,
ndayla = layia, plu. layi-
esia.
Organize, tr. v., pa
Origin, n., hijoma, tatgma
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
215
Oriole, a bird of the^ kind,
mbaku
Ornaments, n,, mayili-haka,
kpanje
Orphan, n., pond6-l6
Orphanage, n,, pOndoya
Other, adj\, peka ='weka,
woma ; the* other side
of the sea, gboye-woma
Our, ^row., mu; our' own,
ours, mu-nda, wu-wo;
we ourselves, muviili
Out, adv,, hu; outer or back
of the hand, toko-woma
Outicry, w., yele,*kpao *
Outside, w., ngituja, mayi-
tiya, poma = woma, ya
Outskirts, n., ndogboi-la
Ovary, n., nd9g9tu
Over, adv,, ma, mahii; over
against, tengflo
Overboil, tr, v., kporo
Overcome, tr. v., tf w^ = dew§
Overgrown, v., bibr, kpiti
Overpower, tr. v., kpiti
Oversee, tr. v., kpe, hugbf
OvOTseer, n., hUgbe - mo,
toma-hu-mo
Overtake, tr, v., male
Overthrow, tr, v., kula, ya-
wote, ngawote
Owl,' n., mbu *
Own, n,, mbe, mbu, nda,
wo, wqIo; my own, nya
nda a7i4 nyambe; his
own, ngi nda
Owner, n., ma-mo; owner
of cattle, tobS.ni-mo
Oyster, n., nwoni
Oyster-shell, n., nwgni-ga
Ox, n,, nika-hlna
Pace, n., jiagi
Pacify, tr, v., nepo
Package, w., tiwi
Pad, w., fiiko
Paddle, w.,*nguli; paddle
canoe, bolomulende; long
steersman's paddle, b^lo-
mulala
Pail, n., bogoti
Pain, n., kpale-hii; to be in
pain, gbafengo — contr.
gbaengo, yagbalengo, and
yagbaengo; pain in the
region of the heart, ndi-
gbale; pain in the side,
kaka-gbale; pain in the
body, kah'ii-gbale ; pain
in the abdomen,* kohii-
gbale; pain through indi-
gestion, gembe
Painting the skin, tevijo;
painted, nyegi
Palace, n., pele-wa
Palatable, to make, ne and
neni; nao describes the
taste not quite palatable.
Ngiiru wue ke na6. The
fruit of that tree is not
palatable
Palaver, to have, tukpo
Palisade, n,, tembe
Palm-bird, w., jele, mbaku
Palm-cabbage, *w., mbgle,
kotobo
Palm kernel, n., tglu
Palm leaves, n., njanja, njasa
Palm nut, n., si; palm nut
in a state of perfection,
town, tfwu; immature
p'alm nut, tf wu-yomb©
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210
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Palm oil, w., ngiilo-gbon,
i.e. red oil; fresh and
clean palm oil, semale
Palm tree, n., tokpo, pro-
ducing the oil and ker-
nel now an important
article of commerce; a
species of palm tree,
ndiivu
Palm wine, w., tokpo-lg,
ndufu-lg
Falsify, become incapable
of injuring, nangango
Palsy, w., nanga-higbe; the
person sick of the palsy,
nanga-higbe-mo
Pangolin, w., kanye
Pant, v., Tonde
Pap, paps,*nyini, nylnisia
Paper, w., kolo
Parable, w., sale = jale, plu.
saleisia = jaleisia; put-
ting forth parable, sale
henga
Paralytic, See Palsy
Parasite, n., meheli-mo
Parboil, fiivii
Parcel^ n., tiwi
Parch, tr. v., ngele, gali
Pardon, to ask, 'demu
Pare, tr, v., magao or
magawo
Parent, w., ndfmo = lemo,
plu. leb^la, lebSlesia.
Njeni
Parrot, w., kpegbe = gbegbe.
Ngi la-bowei kotongo le,
ke kpakpaS, Its bill is
bent, crooked, and hard
Part,w., kekele, nda; some
part, tengo ; small part,
DQUl
Partake, tr, v., lengojo, ma-
kpo
Partaker, n,, tengo-jo
Partridge, n., foklo and
fokulo
Pass, tr, V,, ndewe, lewe,
tewe ; it came* to' pass,*!
ye weni or m iye weui
winde = pinde; to pass
from place to place, de-
tewe; pass over to the
other side, dewe kaka
wekei ma ; pass through,
vo
Passage, n., pele
Passion, n., ndi dewengo le
Passionate person, n., ndi-
dewe-mo
Passionately, adv., kebi
Passover, feast of, tewe
mahii goma, tewe mahui
Pasturage) n./ makema,
melima
Patience, n., holima(?)ndi-
lei; ndllo male kiilo= wait
a* little
Patient person, n., ndi-
hou-mo; hindo ndi-lei-mo
Patient continuance in well
doing, no hinda wanda
ma
Patch, w., pee
Path, 71., pele
Paw, 71., yengalu, toko
Pawn, tr, v,, hele-hei
Pawpaw tree and fruit, w.,
fakali
Pay, tr, v., kpa gbia, kpei-
gbia, paga
Payment, n., pawa, baga
Peace, n,, ndilali, ndilei,
an(i ndaeli; hmdayekpli.
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
217
They held their peace,
Ti ye yiani, i,e. did not
speak
Peaceful person,^., ndileimo
Peace-maker, w., huhoni-mo,
hu-h9U-ino, plu. hti-hQ-
Mla
Pearl, w., pall, ngoto =
woto, plu. wotoisia
Pebbles used by magicians,
yongo
Peck. tr. v., songba, ma-
jongba
Peel, verb, n,, magao, ma-
gawo
Peer (equal), tengo
Pelican, w., pupuni, njawa-
ma, noni, gbbngb5to
Peneti-ate, tr, v., wangu
Pem'nsula, n., londi
Penis, n,, mbulo
People, n., ndnga, plu. of nii
Pepper, n., piitse or piije,
plu. piijeisia. Pijevofo,a
small insect causing a
pain like pepper in the
eye. Pepper plaDt, n.,
gbanyenye
Perceive, tr, v., hiigQ, to,
yabele, hulo
Percolate, tr, v., hola
Perdition, n., nyani
Perfect person, w., tonya-mo,
plu. tQuya-b^la, sansa-
bSla ; to be perfect, san-
sango
Perfection, w., kx)oyo-hinda
Perform, tr, v., gbia ; per-
form a miracle, kabende
or kabandf gbia
Perhaps, adv,, woi. Ta nde
lo tenga, perhaps, it may
be ; perhaps he may go,
tenga a li lo
Perish, intr, v., ndg = lo, ha.
They perish in the water,
Ti lo nje hii
Perjury, w'., nde jondu wua
Permission, n., pel?
Permit, tr, v., be,* kavali or
kavai, nduma = liima
Perplex, tr, v., ndi-hele,
hii-bii
Perplexity, n., yeye
Persecute, tr. v., ngafa =
yafa, to, yakpe, mu yake-
ngo
Persecution, 71., hinda ngafa,
ngakpe nyania
Perseverance, w., no, noma
Persevere, tr. v., ngakpla =
yakpfa
Persist, tr. v., no
Persistent, adj., novi
Person, mo and ta-mo, plu.
bSla; nil, niimu, plu.
niinga. Male or female,
k§na. A person not con-
nected with any society
as the Poro or Sande,
kpowa; a person or
thing of unusual size,
mbowa; a person of
rank, wealth, or power,
tama ; a person in single
life, kpawo or kpaO ; an
aged person, kpfekblo; a
person or animal * with
young beside them,
koima; persons called by
the same name, men
whose wives are sisters,
togbai; an elderly per-
son of either sex, mama ;
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218
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
a very old person, roa-
ma-ta ; a person excelling
all others, gbeni
Perspiration, w.,'fondo
Perspire, intr. v., vondo
Persuade, tr, v., gbonda.
We will persuade him,
Mangi li lei lo ngua, ngo hii
Persuasion, *w., ndi yamala
Perverse, tr, v., te-hlnda
hou a tonya
Pervert, tr. v., wu-w6te,
yawotf, i,e, turn one's
head
Pestilence, w., higbe wa
Pestle, w., ngete; ngete-
gbiilo, hard callous on
the hand
Pewter, w., jinji
Pewter basin, w., woll
Piazza, w., gbenje, faka and
faki
Pick, tr, v., songba, nge-
ngela ; pick out, hiiwgyo ;
pick up, ngoyo; picked
up beneath, ngombu,
ngoyombu
Piece, w., kpu; piece of
silver, pala, ngenge
Pierce with a spear, sondu
Pigeon, n,y bomukulo,
powo; pigeon of green
colour, w., povovo
Pillar, 71., ndoko = loko;
nele-loko, pillar of the
gate
Pillow, n., ngiimbu gule ma
Pimples upon the face,
kpoye
Pin, n, and v., fowa
Pincers, w., gbanya
Pinch between two hard
substances, kpewo; pinch
with the fingers, foul
ponde
Pine-apple, n., piilu-wui,
nesi
Pine away, v., ndogbo,
ganya
Pipe, intr, v., kSle vfnga
Pipe (tobacco), ta-ve
Piss, intr. v., ngoli-bo
Pit, n., ndQwa
Pitiful, adj,, mamao
Pitted, indented, nwQnyo-
nwonyo
Pity, n, and v., mann, ma-
mauma; to feel pity, ma-
lingo
Place (order), w., g§ and
gele; nda=la,he, hXnda;
place for sleeping) ndama ;
place for tarrying (grave),
ndembima = lembiroa;
place for residing, yele=
ye ; place for resting,'p"re-
paring, kpuko : tr, v., place
together, nakpo, ndekpe,
ndokpo
Plain, adj,, len, ge
Plain, w., biilo
Plainly, adv,, saha = sasa;
great plainness of speech,
ngau lew§ wa
Plait, v., ndlmba .
Plan, n. and v., kara ; plan
= plotting against, voml-
wua
Plane, n., koline
Plant, n., hi, tu, tiihfim;
plant used for greens,
monjo ; plant with broad
leaves and red pods grow-
ing from the root, con-
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARr.
219
iaining an acid pulp,
poDu ; plant used as
tobacco, tgngoni
Plantain, n., mana; small
plantain, konde
Plantain skin, ??., mana-ga;
plantain stock cut down,
dagba
Plaster, tr, v., maho
Plate, w., tgingi = jingi =
singi
Platform, n., sllo-bete,
mbete
Platter, w., linji
Play, w. and v., tf , ka, ndo-
li, kogbaololi, kpakpa-
ni, gambd, giile ; mbaka,
yilila, tego, to play to ;
play with live snakes,
diam bo; play a musi-
cal instrument, ngeli ;
magical play, ndoso Igli
Plj^y-board,n.,tegoko'; play
by catching and draw-
ing each other over a
line, ndagbia
Playmate, n,, ndolinyo =
lolinyo
Plead, tr. v., mavale ; plead
for, topo; plead with,
manene
Pleader, w., mavale-mo
Pleasant, adj., hango (?);
make pleasant, mane,
maneni, neni; pleasant
voice, ngo-leli
Please, tr, v,, kgne, ne or
nei neni. I am pleased
with him, Nya ll leingo
ngi ma. Pleased with
new surroundings, nga-
mane ; pleasing, ndlleU
Pleasures, n,, ndibellsia
Pledge, v., hele hei
Pleiades, w., sokole or so*
kele. See sokelf" giilu, a
flock of sSkele = the seven
stars called* Pleiades
Plentiful, to be, v., kpi-
nyingo
Plentifully, adv., kibeli
Plenty, n., sogbo
Plot, n. and v., voml. Plot
against, voml wua
Plough, tr. v., piija
Pluck, tr. v., butu, butula,
buja ; pluck from, magbe-
nda magbia, kplnda, pii*
kpla; one that plucks,
ngglimo; to pluck frnli
with a pole, sondu
Plucked, wonjenga
Plum tree, n., ndawa, gbCji
Plunder, tr. v., kapu
Plunderer, n., kapu-mo,
woya-mo
Pocket, n., njlva
Point =, aim, tr. v., to
ngafu ne or nene; n.',
ngula yafu, point of a
stick. Point = place, to
land at, bomb!. Point of
death, yeke i ha
Pointed, pem-peni, pepele,
ngali, faki, yafune,'ng^-
f5na
Poison, n., dawn, hubg-
h∋ poison of snakes,
taramtular, koni; tr. v.,
hubg and hubgu
Polished, manee
Polliwig, n., kpiitu
Polygamist, n., nyaha gb$-
to-jg-mo
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220'
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Polygamy, w., nyaha-gboto-
jola
Pond, n., pola, popa, nja-
gere
Pool^ n,, popa ; small pools
near a river, boDgolo
Poor, n. and adj,,'ieM =
"veli ; to be poor, felingo
Poor person, w., feli-mo,
nyani-mo, plu. nyani-
b^la
Porch, w., gbenjei
Porcupine, w., 'seje = jeje
or piwi, plu., def. st.,
piwongaisia
Porcupine-quill, piwi-kpa
Pork, n., ndonde-hiia
Poro, the name given to a
secret society of men ;
a similar institution of
women is called Sande.
Poro-yafa, i,e. the Ppro
devil, a person fantasti-
cally dressed, represent-
ing himself as a spirit
Porter, w., i,e, door-opener,
pela wo-mo
Portico, n., faka
Portion, n,, kekele, nda;
small portion, kere
Possess, tr. v., yeya, i.e. to
have, to be in hand. I
do not possess anything,
Hani gbi nya yeya. To
hold, hou. They took
possession of the forest,
Ti ndogbei hou. If you
were possessed of six-
Sence, what would you
o then? Ina navo gole
pensi woita i ye bi yeya,
ba ye pela?
Possession, n., heiroa, so-
hani, solo-hani. ' Ngeya
Possessor, w., so-hani mo
Possible, adj.,* hani gbi e
gbakpau. Ma pegi lo
na
Post, w., ndoko = loko.
Doorpost, nele loko
Pot, w., fe = ve ; water-pot,
ya-ve. ' Earthen pot with
a long neck, ndumbu,
poro-Te
Potato, sweet, 7f., njowe;
potato leaf, njowe-la
Potter, n.y felo-ipo ;' potter's
field, pena-gbale
Pouch of the pelican, n.,
JQJo
Pound, v., kpakpa
Pound, n., mina; ten pounds,
mina piiisia
Pour, tr. v., njei-wu, ye and
yei, pu, jiindu, sende"
Pout, Mr. v., ndagbgtu
Poverty, w., velima
Powder, n., dehe, dehena
Power, w., kpaye; one
who has power, kpaye-mo ;
to be in power, kpaye-
ngo; power or wealth
obtained in war, kila-
gbate
Powerful, adj., jiijii
Practice, w., namakoi
Praise, n., lato, sa-ha, da to,
tato, namata
Pray, tr. v., he. They make
long prayer, Ta he giiha
we. Pray to, hale ; pray
to' Grod for good or evil
to happen to another,
mahe
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
221
Prayer, w., hela, he. Bi hei
meningo le. Place for
prayer, hema; the Lord's
Prayer, ndemohei
Preach, tr. v., If, njia ye-
kpei le hehe
Preacher, w., ngewo yia le
mo, hehe-mo
Precept, n., sawa = jawa,
yekpe
Precious, adj., i.e, not
cheap, ba gbanga
Precipitately, adv., dadu,
kpi
Predict, tr, v., belegbomo
Pre-eminence, n., nguma
Pregnancy, n., ko-hlti-hii
Pregnant, to be, i ye kShii
16. Tinia a gol6. Ko
nika
Premises, w., kiign, ye-
kugu
Prepare, tr. v., ndaraagbate
= lamagbate, kpate ; also
put in order
Prepared, kpatengo
Prepuce, n., pondo, soli
Present, adj.,' gbegbe. In
the presence of, ngama
= yama, labu. I am
present, ngi ngama lo;
present year, nyomoi
Present (gift), w., mboya;
present of food, ndagSli ;
present from an unex-
pected source, hani-hota ;
to give or send a present,
Jamba, njoyo ; the person
who makes a present,
mb6-ya-mo, mboya haoi-
mo, one that * gives a
present for a wife
Present = show, ge ; pre-
sent well, magbongbo
Presently, adv., ti, sangi
Preserve, tr, v., fulo, nda-
ma gbate
Press, tr, v., kponda = gbo-
nda, nikpa;* press out,
fonya
Pretence, n,, yara-hlnda
Pretext, n., pe ngama.
Though it be done in pre-
text, Ko be pe ngama le.
Pretty, adj., ny^nde
Prevail, tr, v., tewe, faya
Prevent, tr, v., huhou, ma-
bali
Price, n., ba gbango, ndevu
hani lo, ba
Prickle, w., ngali
Prickly, to be, adv., fililongo
Pride, n,, nyanga, yonga
Priest, n,, prisi; high priest,
prisi wa
Prince, n,, sama, plu.
samanga
Prison, w., kpindi we-bu,
kpindiwele
Prisoner, w., kende mo, plu.
kendebfila, kpindi we-bu-
mo
Prison-keeper, w., kpindi
we-mahiigbe-mo
Private, in, ndowu hu =
lowuhu, toke
Private parts, ndabu
Privy, n., gawama
Proclaim, tr. v,, hehe
Proclaimer, n., solema-mo
Proclamation, n., li yedoi,
solema; make proclama-
tfon, solema we
Prodigal, adj., taina
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Prodigality, w., madama,
malama
Prodigy, w., nali
Produce, as fruit or seed,
tr. v., wua
Projectile, w., kpande-gale
Projecting, wgjeg§
Prolapsus ani, ??., kpolu
Promise, tr. v., gboro, kele
Proof, n., nali
Prop up, v., fala
Propelled by oars, mangi
Proper, it is, mahou, ma-
hoiingo
Properly, a<iv., panda-panda
= wanda-wanda
Property, w., solo-hani =
jolo-hani
Prophecy, n,, liiwoma hinda
lela
Prophesy, tr. v., tiiwQ hinda
hiige
Prophet, n., tiiwoma yla-lf-
mo
Prosper, v., liiba, yekpe =
gbfkpe. I gbfkpea ngi
yeya
Prosperity, w., kohune-ma-
hlnda
Prostitute, n., hite-nyaha
Prostrate, tr. v., va
Prostrated, felee
Protect, tr. v., hUgbe, ma-
hugbfle
Protection, n., hugbe-hlnda
Protector, n., hugbe-mo
Protruding, faki-na; pro-
truding lips, yengele,
ndagbotu
Proud, adj., mamani ; to be
proud, mamaningo le,
ngaw9ngo, yongo
Proud person, n., ngaw5-
mo, mamani-mo
Prove, tr. v., huge, gbia-
woma
Proverb, n., sale
Provide, tr. v., ndama-gbate
Provoke, tr. v., fawgli =
vawgli, wii
Prune, tr. v., nikpa
Pruning time, n., po-kpele,
po-ngiiru po-wele
Psalm, n., ngule-goloi
Puberty, to reach, nyapo,
kpela, lakpa, ndakpa
Public, in, f9fo Im
Publican, ?<., uav9-gando-
mo
Pucker, tr. v., njonjo
Puddle, w., popa
Pull, tr. v., kpla, wukpia,
bugbia, ponje, ndala, nda
Pulverize, tr. v., poponye
Pumpkin, w., towa
Puncheon, n., kolo
Punish, tr. v., namlsa \^e,
mgne
Punishment, severe, n.,
mone,nimisa; everlasting
punishment, nimlsa kuna
fD ; place of punishment,
nimlsama
Pupil, n., ndo ; pupil of the
eye, ngama-lo
Pure, adj., fofo; pure in
heart, ll magolengo, sage,
sewe, kole, sege
Purgative,* n., mayela
Purity, n., ngiia we, gbela
Purpose, n., keg§, gbeva lo ;
purpose of revenge,ndlaja
gale
Purse, n., kpavo, vgwoli =
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARr.
223
vol! nongbe, plu. nq-
ngbesia
Pursue, tr. v., kpe, ngote-
gbla, ngakpe
Pus from the eye, n., polo
Push, tr, v., tukpe = dukpe
= lukpe ; push out, ngi-
tiya
Puss, w., gone
Put, tr. v., pu = bu = wu ;
put asunder, ndua-ggle;
put in, ngua, ndo = lo,
tongo; put aside for safe
lieeping, ndama-gbate
Quagmire, n., yenge
Quantity, w., kpotoma
Quarrel, n., njia-hinda, to
have a quarrel, tiikpo.
Fa = va hinda
Quarrelsome, adj\, yeye,
toma, fa = va
Queen, n., nyaha mahei
Queen of white ants, n,,
gilinye
Quench, tr, v., ndiife = lufe
Question, n, and v., moli
Quibbling, hite-hite
Quick, arfy., kak^, sa; quick-
tempered, ndi vulo
Quickly, adv,, gbeleu, fia,
filo p§, pu,sa, sarigi, kpao,
jai, mbele-mbele
Quiet, tr.'v'., nepo'
Quietly, adv,, tok§
Quite to, all the way, adv.,
so
Quiver, n., menye-ta; v.,
magbell
Quiveringly, adv,, kpili
K
Eabbit, n., hagbe: doe,
hagbe wii]o ha*; buck,
hagbf wiilo hina
Pace, n., vofo, pime-vofoi;
i ya a pime, wilimi
Raft, tr. v., kpaha, to float
Page, as the sea, intr. v.,
diimbe; raging, dumbela
Ragged,* to become, haga'
Rain, n., nja = ya ; gentle
rain, nja mumui; it is
raining, njei lo wama
Rainbow, n., ninginanga
Rain-shed, n., kpiiwa, nja
gbiiwa
Rainy season, n., hama
Raise, tr, v., te = de, dela ;
raise seed, hiilo; raise,
bring up, make; raise
upon, male ; raise up,
kpavo; raise up the
dead, wa ha-b^la viilu
Ram, n., mbala hina
Ransom, n,, ngumao hani
or hinda
Ransomer, n., ngumao-mo
Rapacious, adj., woya'
Rapacious person, *woya-mo
Rapids, n., sule
Eash, adj., woya
Rat, n., fologbete and foe-
gbete, nyina,'t6ndo, vgro,
nina = nyina
Rather, adv., polon
Rattle, n., jeke, segbula,
kpowo
Raven, n., gome, plu. go-
Djeisia
Raw, adj., ngiindu = wu-
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224
ENGLISH-^ENDE VOCABULABY.
ndu ; to be raw, ngungo,
wundungo (ngundia =
wundia)
Razor, w., kpeka
Beach, tr, v.] hite, ngafo;
reach puberty, nyap5, fo
Read, tr. v., ke = ge, kele;
gei, lei
Reader, n., kolo-ge-mo
Ready, adj., hei-gili ; to be
or make ready, ngama-
gbate = lamagbate, yeke,
ye ; ye i ha, ready to die
Reap, tr. v., tewe
Reaper, n., tewe-mo
Reason, n. and v., mawai
hou, gili nemahu, wii
hIte ; gbeva, what for ?
Rebel, w., kanga mo
Rebellious, adj., kanga
Rebuke, tr. v., houla a
inagali, yia, kpande =
' gbande
Recall, tr. v., sondu-gbia;
recall with sorrow, gili;
recall the curse impre-
cated, sondu gbia, fofee
Receive, tr. v., so = jo, kuru
= guru, giilu, mahou
Reception, n., solo ; verb, n.,
sola
Reckon, tr. v., kpa, kpa-hou
Recompense, n., songo,
mawa, nyo=go; recom-
pense, good or evil,
hiinyo
Reconcile, tr. v., hiila,
ndileli = lileli va
Recover, tr. and intr, v.,
bawo
Rectangular house, w., baa-
wele
Red, adj., kpogbou, ki>6u;
to be or become red,
kpoungo; a red berry
growing in clusters, taya.
TSeli. Red shining me-
tal, kanigbaugbau (gold)
Redden, tr. and intr. v.,
kpolu, kpowu, kpou
Reddish earth or clay, n.,
bowo, bowo-boro
Redeem, tr. v., bawo, ngu-
mao = wumao, ken§i i
ndopoi ji wiimaoa. Nga-
ma wo-hinda. Ngu-ma-
wgya (mumawo ?)
Redeemer, n., bawo-mo
Redemption, n., wiimao,
ngii-mawoya
Reduce, tr. v., madewe,
kgnye
Reed, the leaf of which is
used with offerings to
twins, n., kale, kotopon,
tikpo, powe, howa'
Reflect, tr. v., kill
Refuse, tr. v., magali, ma-
bali jowi
Refuse matter, n., kawg
Refuser, n., magali-mo
Regard, tr. v., mbele-hou,
mani bele-hou
Region, n., kaka = lala
Reject, tr. v., gbele
Rejoice, intr. v., kahu-gbia,
gohune, nya gahiine gbi-
anga, nya gohune
Relate, tr. v., hughe, yiala,
lali
Relatives, including pa-
rents, n., wiinga and
won<?a, and perhaps =
wu-niinga=your people;
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ENQLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
225
ndenga, pin. ndenge-
isia
Reluctantly, with drag-
ging footsteps, adu,, sang-
bali
Hely upon, tr, v., vara and
vala
Bemain, tr, v., 16; iye na,
he is there. To remain
through the day, tiiva =
liiya. Ndembi = lembi
Bemainder, n., monu, plu.
monua; remainder due,
mala, nduahu, bombo
Bemember, tr, v., kill =
gili; w., kllila ndama-
gbate, lema, monu. Ee i
monui tekpe l9le wu
mbiimbuni ? And how
many baskets of frag-
ments did you take up ?
Remission, n., manu
Bemnant, n., kaka yela
(Bom. ix. 27), m^nu or
imgnu (Rom. xi. 6)
Remote, adv,, kuhama
Remove, tr. v., hiimbu,
njanja, kiinde, kpiilf
Rend (hurt, etc.), tr, v.,
bdla, nemu
Rendezvous, n., heigo
Renew, tr, v., ninlngo : n!na,
new
Rent, n,, mbf lema
Repair, tr, v.,* kpate ; and
repaired
Eepay (good with evil),
fyr, v., ndahugoli
Eepeat rumours, tr, v,,
ndende
Eepent, ir. v,, pote = W9t§.
That they may repent.
Ko ti glli ti w6t§. One
who repents, potemo ;
water of repentance) nja
pote va
Reply' = answer, n,, pote =
w§tf
Report, n., towo = dowo,
ngo; false report, or re-
port wickedly, mayafa;
false report of death
having occurred, tombe ;
flying report, ndanda
kiilo gona
Reproach, n, and v,, sambo,
lowonyani, nguf?
Reprobate mind, gbamafu
nemaha (Bom. i. 28)
Require (as restitution),
tr, v., mgli
Rescue, tr, v., magao
Resemblance, »., kplaye
Resemble, intr. v., kpfa ; he
resembles him, kplango le
angie
Resent, or revenge, an
injury, tr, v,, ngii-hii-
nyamu
Reside, intr. v,, he and hei
Residence, n,, hf iina
Residuum (sediment), kpo
Resign, letengo
Resist, tr, v., ndapi = lapi,
nylmi, vola
Resistance,* w., v5la
Resolute, adj,, magba
Resort, place of, n., gomema
Respect, tr, v., malua, ma-
luahgo wa ; n., ba, bago.
Respect of persons, niinga
hiiwoyo ; show respect by
presents, va, mbele, and
mbele h9u
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226
ENGLISH-MENDB •VOCABULARY.
Eesponse used by men to
superiors, t5la ; response
of Sande members, tuma
Eest, n,, ndevu=levu; rest
upon, v., hei
Eesting-place", ndevuma
Restless, adj., yonda
Restoration, ri., bawSla
Restore, tr, v., ngama,
yama, lagigbate, ma-
dukpe
Restrain, tr. v., ngah5u,
huhou, magba
Resurrection, n., hijema ;
the resurrection of the
dead, hljemei kunahai
hu; at the time of the
resurrection, hije-gbf i hii
Retain in hand, v., h^umba,
mahou
Retaliate, tr. v., hdnyQ
Retribution, from God or
the spirits of deceased
relatives, n., koto
Return CTil for good, tr. v.,
hiinyo, ngama = yama ;
just returD, songo ; return
to the husband the money
he paid for his wife, kolu
gbia
Returning, n., yamala
Reveal, tr. v., ke = ge, gela
Revenge, tr. v., hunyg, kot9,
kpale-gbia
Reverence, w., bago. They
shall reverence my son,
Ta bago lo nya loi ma
Revile, tr. v., ngell
Revive, ^r.v.,vu(Rom. vii.9)
Reward, tr. v., hunyo;
nawa, reward for singing
in one's praise
Reward, n., boya-hani, pawa
Rheumatism, n., kale-higbe
Rib, n., kaka, gsLle, plu.
galeisla
Rice, W., mba, def. st, bei;
to clean rice, mba ko-
Imgo, gete; early rice,
pend^ge
Rice beaten from the hnsk,
kpangula
Rice-bird with a red. neck,
dia
Rice farm, very lar^,
manja; a field from which
the rice has been bar-
vested, njopo; field of
early rice, biilu ; head or
ear of rice, kpaka
Rich, adj., and n., riches,
kpate, 60 haDi gboto .lo.
He was very rich, Ngi
gbatengo gbon. Riches
of goodness, hinda wanda
Rich man, n., kpate-mo
Riddle, w., hoboli
Ridicule, tr. v.', sasi
Rifle, w., kpande
Right, adj. and n., domu
If tonya, lemu, lele, le-
mungo; right, not' left,
yfja
Right hand, yeja lokSi
Righteous, adj'.^ saha, to-
nyango. Ti dgnyangoyele
Ngf wo yama, They were
righteous in the sight of
God
Righteousness, n., tony-hl-
nda
Rigorous, adj., fig&nd?
Ring, n., fQle; voko, thick
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ENGUSH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
227
waxed ring nsed by
magicians
Ring, tr, v., tiigba bamandf
liigba ; ring of the fingers,
toko ma viili
Ring-worm, n., pene
Ripe, adj',, bengo; ripen-
ing (used of fruits which
change colour), mamenye
Rise, intr. v., hije and hlyf ,
humbu, le = de.' Rise and
fall, i de i* ye
River, n., kpoli, kpelu
Road, w., pele
Roar, as the sea, intr, v.,
diimbe, hiko; roaring of
water) jule, kpande
Roast, tr, v.,* mo, longa
Rob, tr. V,, kapii
Robber, n., kapii-mo
Rock, w., kotu
Rod, w., ngola-voma, foraa
Roll, tr, and intr. v., kikili,
gigilingo ; njowele, to
roll between the hands,
to wash as cloth ; roll up,
koto, magoto; to roll,
turn from side to side,
gendebele
Room, 71., kiindo
Roost, intr. v., kaye
Root, n., hape ; v., njombg :
root up, wukpla, magbia
Rope, n., ng§ya = yeya,
nd^k^, kaja
Eot, intr. v., ndiilu = lulu,
lula
Rottenness, n., ndiilu-hinda
Rough, adj, and adv,^ woya.
Roughness of the sea,
dumb§, w$ya-hlnda, no-
Round, adf,, kikili, bimbi-
ma ; to be round, bimbi-
ngo. Kere
Row, tr. v., nje wulila, wiili
ngiili ; to place in a row,
ndokpo
Rub, tr, v., jia, tsia, sla, njo-
wele, nikpa, nikpo, nigilr,
manlkpo; rub, as in
washing the body, njo-
wolo, krje
Ructate, ndoku
Rudder, w., gbi
Rude, adj,, mb9le
Rude person, w.,'mbolegba-
nj6
Ruin of a town, tombs
Rule, tr. v., mahii-gbe
Ruler, n., mahii-gte-mo,
ndemo, ke
Rum,' w., ndo = lo
Run, intr, v., pela, bela =
wela; run away, pime
= wfme = bime; run
swiftly, gbende; run in
streams, sende
Runner (plant), ngeyako
Rust, n,, kaiye
Sabbath, as observed in the
interior of the country,
n,, tene
Sabre, n., ko-b§wa, mbowa
Sack, ngngba
Sacred, adj., malua
Sacrifice, n., sa = ja, sa-
hani ; tr. v., sa-gbia ; verb,
n,, sa-gblala; the place
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
where sacrifices are made,
sa-gbiama
Sad, adj. and adv,, voli ; to
be sad, volingo, nyandf-
ngo i le, kpav9 = gbavo
Sagacious, to be, nemahia-
lengo, as, ngilanga
Said, ye, ngee
Sail, n., fefe kiile or kole:
v., jia fefe, tijia a nja-
ya, we ; sail through the
air, kdwo. Fefe wa i fefe-
golesia gbi bela, i ti nya-
ni, A strong* wind was I
blowing in their sails, and
spoiled them. Set sail, ti
fefe-g9lesia hele
Sailor, w.,*ndende-hii-mo
Sake of, conj,, va; for my
sake, nya-va
Sale, n., majia
Saliva, n,, ndaya
Salt, n., kpolo ; salted, kpo-
lo-hua
Salt water (sea), n., kpolo-
ya; sack or stick of salt,
kpolo-JQ
Salutation, n,, fa = va, fama
wela hani
Salute, tr, v., fa = va
Salvation, n., bawo-hinda,
bawola, mbo-hinda
Same, *a(iy., se, sele; the
same, ta-te,*yakpf ; the
same things, hinda yakpe-
isia
Sand, n,, nganga, nanye,
nanya; sand used by
magicians, kenye
Sandal, n., koka
Sande. See Part I.
Sand-flies, w., giimu
Sande enclosure within the
town, ngii-mahii; Sande
bush, kpangiima; Sandf
jowo, the highest member
of the Sande institute
Sap, n,, nja = ya, ngumi
Sasa-wood, n., ngogbe ;
se&rch for by the use of
ngogbe
Satiate with food, kove
Satisfy, tr, v., ndeli '
Sauce, 91., pepejene, sambele
Saucy, ac^y., "fasi
Savage, n., mbole ; savage
person, mb5le-gbanjo,
kpigbeli
Save, tr. v., mbao, ba6,
bawo ; to he saved, p5po,
min£ago popo va; he
saved them,'i ti wiimao
Saviour, n., mbawo-mo
Savour, tr. v., toina, nein,
heni
Saw, tr. v., gene, genene ; to
saw apart,*m'bela
Say, tr. v., nde, le ; yfi^ ye,
saith, said
Saying, tee = be = bu,
hgee, njia, yla, la-yia
Scab of a healed sore,
mbao-ga
Scabbard, n., ta
Scaffold, n., mbete
Scale, ka, def. st kf i, = ga,
def. si gei
Scar, n., kpb = gbo, ndewe-
gbo, bee ; kegeli-gbo,
scars from yaws on the
bottom of the feet ; scar
or pit from small-pox,
bomb5-gbo
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ENGLISH-MKNDB VOCABULARY.
229
Scare, tr, v., ngande = ya-
nde, hu-yande, hu-luwa
Scatter, tr. v., faya = vaya,
fall, huvaya
Scattered, vayango
Scent, n., ku = gu ; scent
of the musk-cat, beye ;
scent of animals, md,gu ;
scented mixture for
anointing, fafa
School, w., jdku, kawe, kara-
wele ; in school, k^webu.
Place for learning, kara-
ma
Scold, tr, v., tumbe = du-
mbe ; scold much/kpande
Scorch, tr, v., logbo
Scorpion, w., kohema and
kfkema
Scour," tr. v., kije
Scourge, tr. v., tewe, gbato
Scowl, tr. v., kpcnje = gbenye
Scrap, w., kombS
Scrape, tr. v., kpene = gbe-
nye, magombb komb9
Scratch, tr. v., kone, kombo,
logbo, gombo, ngange
Scream, w.) yel§
Screen, n., nj4nja
Screw-pine, n., pamba
Scribe, w., kglo nyegi-mo
Scrip, w., kpava
Scrotal tumour, n., sikpe
Scrotum, w., njgvo-ta, njovo-
gate
Sculptor in stone, n., kgtu
beli-mo ; sculptor in wood,
ngiilu-bfli-mo
Scum, w., kpoto
Scurf-back, n., kokolS
Sea, w., kp5ye, popa; sea-
coast, njagbfanga
Search, tr. v., koli, kokoh',
feye, nigile, nigili ; search
by magic, totogbe, wo-
koli, ndo ; search for food,
nehe, hu-vese
Season, dry,ngele-vo, ngevo,
from Novemijer to April
Seat, w., he-wiilu, plu. he-
wiiluisia; bafigo, mbole,
mbol6, kpaksiU, seat
with three legs ; square-
shaped seat, gbehS ; seat
= abode, hfima
Second, w. and adj., felege ;
the second, If^lege
Secret, n., ndgwu=lowu;
in secret, ndgwu-hii,
ndowungo, tSkf
Secretly, adv., monden
Section of a pawpaw tree,
that gives a variety of
soimdi as struck on the
thigh, w., bokf kiiwe
Sediment, n,, kpo
Sedition, n., njanja-hlnda
See, <r. v., to = do = lo; mema,
an exclam. = do see !
take notice ! to see before,
luwo
Seed, Vi., tuh&ni, kal§, hfl,
def. St. hui, bahii, seed
corn, nyghu ; tegale, some
kind of seed used in play-
ing te ; seed grain, koja
Seek, tr. v., kokoli = wokoli,
ndo = lo
Seize, tr. v., ngasa; seize
forcibly, kpunde = gbiinde
Select, tr. v., hii-woyo
Self, pron.y be, mbe; also
own, vuli and viilui. Ti
vuli, themselves ; I myself,
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
nya-Tulr; to have one's
self, i,e, to be free, wu-
mawo
Sell, tr. V,, majia majiangOi
ngutoka; sell as slaves,
ngeya; to sell all, bgno;
to buy and sell, felego
Seller, n., majia-mo*, iigfya-
mo
Send, tr, v., dewe; send
away, kpe and kpele, to
= do = 16 ; send a present,
njSyS, simba = jamba;
send back, ngama = yama
Sensation of heat, n., nduf-
ndue
Sense, *w., nemahu; to have
or be possessed of sense,
dewengo ; person pos-
sessed of sense, nemahii
dewe-mo
Separate, tr, v, and adj.,, lua-
hu, kole = gole; faya,
gbembo, gba, njanja =
yanja, huyanja, separate
as friends ; state of sepa-
ration, yango; gbia, kina
ti wu gbia ti goma
Serpent, n., kali, karinyene
Servant, «., boilopo; male
servant, hindo boilopo;
female servant, nyaha-
boilopo
Serve,* tr, v., kpe gbia ; one
who serves, kpe-gbia-mo
Servitude, n., ndiiwoya
Set, tr. v., he, hei, hite: set
up, hei-mahii ; set a trap,
manga te, ngate
Settle, a dispute, tewe. He
settles the dispute, I
njiei d§wea, hiila. Used
of fluids = clarify, ndo-
k§
Seven, num, adj,, wofela
Seventh, ord, w., Iwof|]agei
Severe, adj,, kele, ngandl'
Severity, w., yagba, ngagba-
hinda, nai, ngamongo nai
Sew, tr, v., ho, soko
Sewer, «., ho-mo, klila-ho-
mo
Shade, n., ndendeli
Shadow, n., nene, ndendeli
Shake, tr, v., kpagba, bii-
kpule, jijiama, fivt ; to be
shaken, kindengo a reefei
kpinde, vivi;* shake with
fear, magibeil. Sejia, jigi
or jisi, kpele. Shaking,
nyuke tlva; i,e, shaking
of a leaf, a gbeli tiva-
tiva
Shallow, adj,, tete le, njenje
Shame, w.,ngiif| = wiif|; to
be ashamed, wiifengo ; to
shame children ' out of
untidy habits, ma^role
Shameful, adj., sambo
Shameless, adj., ngiif|-ba
Shape, w., kpiage
Shapeless, adj., vabai
Share, tr, v., mbf la, kole
Shark, n., tiimu'
Sharp, adj,, ndl ; to be sharp,
ndingo, yandlngo, ne,
nene, ngandi, ngandmgo;
sharpen to a point, nga-
f5na ; sharpened sticks in
a* barricade, temba
Sharpness, n,, ngali, ngandf,
ngakpa
Shave, tr^ v., ngole = wole,
kpule; one who shaves
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
231
or whose head is shaved,
ngu-wole-mo = shaver
She, pron., a, i, ta
Sheaf, n., mba = ba-ylll
Shed, i.e. ram-shed, n.,
kpuwa, nja-gbuwa
Shed, tr. v., ye, laya ; shed
blood, nama wu va
Sheep, n., mbala ha; ram,
mbala hina; lost sheep,
mbala longoi
Sheep's mane,* mbala vili
Shell, n., ka, def. st. kel;
also the scales of serpents.
Shell of the pgya, used in
the Poro
Shell, tr. v., ndole
Shepherd, w., mahti-gbe-mo,
and tohani mahu-gbe-
mo
Shield, w., heimbe, hembe,
leve
Shift 'about, seeking food,
nehe
Shine, intr. v., vo, vongo;
shining, mavongo, neku;
shining metal, as silver or
gold, kani
Ship, w., ndende. He went
into a ship, I wilia ndende
hu
Shipbuilding, art of, ndende
gbakpa nemahu dewf
Shirt, n., kamba or kiimba,
njamba, ndoma; kamlsa,
shirtwithflattened bosom
Shiver, intr. v., kpell
Shoe, w., koka, koga, kowa
Shoemaker, /?., kolo-bomo
Shoot, w., mbo = bo, kpohu ;
tr. v., pfli = will*
Shooter, n., kpande wlli-mo
Shore, n., nglye, njei gbea-
nga, gboyei gbelanga
Short, adj., nia, kutu ; in a
short time, hugutiingo;
short hair, ngii-nia
Shorten, tr. v., kutu
Shortly, adv., sangi, wei, hii
i lembini
Shot (bullet), n,, kpande-
gale, ko-vago (?)
Shoulder, n., kpaki, kakima
Shout, intr. v., sole
Shove, tr, v., tiikp§
Shovel, n., haka
Show, tr. v., ke, ge, kela =
gela, hiige; show respect,
mbele-hou, kpla. I genga
a-ngie. He showed himself
to him. A ngi viile ge a
ngi ndengesia, He made
himself known to his
brethren
Shrewd, adj. and n., kaso ;
shrewd person, kasokpeiii
Shriek, intr. v., yele '
Shrimp, w., pe*p|; sauce
made from partly decayed
shrimps, pepe-jene
Shrink, intr. v.,'ndondovo
Shrivelled, tava, logbo
Shrub, w., pegbia *
Shudder, intr. v., kpeli
Shun, tr. v,, ngandf
Shut, tr. v., logbo, ganyi,
kpole, and kpolii
Shuttlecock, n., dekpo
Sick, adj., higbe. Hikpe,
intr. v., to groan, grunt,
as in pain
Sicken, v. and adj., higbe,
ma villa
Sickle, n., nQhgba or ngngbe
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Sickly, adv,, higbe-hfgbe
Sickoess, n., higbe hlnda^
m&Tula
Sick person, n,, hIgbe mo,
mayula-mo
Side, n., kaka. = yaka = ya
= gS,ka. Ngiirai lo dpni
pele yake ma. The other
side, kafca wekfi; this
side, bei yaka; pain in
the side, kaka gb4le
Sierra Leone, pr. »., Salon
Sift, tr, v., kpekpe = gbe-
kpe; to sift out, hii-
gbekpe
Sigh, intr. v., ndevn, ndevn-
g6to, on(? ndevngoto-gula,
nieVu-gota. Keindevu-
gotu gblaa. He heaved a
heavy sigh. Feveu and
feuveu, sighing
Sight, 72., tiiwo, yew§; nn-
usnal sight, nali*; a* place
for sight-seeing, kpema ;
clear sightedness, ngama-
Sign, n., nSli, pin. nalim,
t.e, extraordinary
Signification, n., toma
Silence, n., nddndd = londo
Silk-cotton, ' n,,' fiaiide',
nemgbe-nfmgbe
Silly, adj, and n., tetele,
kp^wa
Silver, w., pata; kanl g5-
gole. Pieces of money,
p4tll nav^fsia
Simile, similitude, n., sale
= jale
Simple, See Silly
Sin, n., hinda nyamu ; v.,
hinda nyamu w$
Sinner, n., binda nj&XBU
we-mo
Since, adv.^ WQgba, kina-gba
Sincere, adj\, sege, sewe,
sewa; to be sincere, s^-
ngo
Sincerity, n., sansange, ndl
yelo
Sing, tr, and tntr. v., ngulf
= "wulf . I ngul^ gbfa ';
nga. One that is taught
to sing, t9mbu
Singe, tr, v., m&mo
Singer, «., ngiile-mo =
mile-mo
Single or singly, yakp§
Singular, unusual, (idj,,
kama; singular dea^,
kamaha
Sink, tr, and intr. v., ndo-
mbu = lombu, wiila,
ngiill
Sister, n,, nde-nyaha, 15,
ndewe
Sit, tr, V,, he and hei ; verb,
«., hela : sit on eggs, kp5-
ngb9
Six, num, adj„ wQita
Sixth, the, iwoitage
Sixty, nu sawa gbgyongo
Skilful, adj,, bebe bfU; to
become skilful, mbeU,
nemfthii-l§wf
Skill, n., kama-hlnda mbiji
Skilled person, n., kama-
mo, beli-mo; to be skilled,
bellngo, contracted,, bef-
ngo; skilled in wood-
work, ngUlu-bfli; skilled
in stone-work, gQtu-bflf
Skim, tr, v„ kiindu
Skin, n., kglo, ndiima =
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ENQLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
233
luma; within the skm,
kahii; skin of living
beings, leather, paper,
books; skin disease, po-
poll, mana-ga; spotted
skin, siigbu
Skip, intr. v., kpongbo
Skirt of palm 'fibres, n.,
njamba
Skull, place of a, ngii gok5
hinda ta
Sky, n,, ngelf, hii, ngav9lo;
within the sky = in
heaven, ngele-gohii; un-
der the sky, i.e. in the
world, or the seen world,
ngele-bu
Slacken, tr, v., nJQko, fama
Slander, tr, v., ngafa, njafia,
jianduatu
Slanderer, n., ngafa-mo,
njianduahii - mo, njafiei-
mo, jiandiiahu-mo
Slanderous, adj., njafa
Slap, »., kp9re, kpole
Slaughter, as in war, njola
Slaughterer,n.,hiiahawamo
Slaughtering-place, tohani
wama
Slave, n., ndiiwo and ndiiwa
= liiwa ndiio, plu. nduo-
ni ; male slave, hlnd^
ndiiwa ; female slave,
nya-ha-liiwa; slave child,
pondo
Slavery, n., ndiiwoya, ndu-
wuhii pondoya
Slay, tr, v.] wa', i nya wani,
he, she, or it slew me;
slay in war, ngutoka
Sleep, intr, v., yl;' to be
asleep, njlhu
Sleep, n., njl. Ndambf i a y I
nil yela gboyongo mahii
pii, i wa
Sleeping-time, nji - gbele ;
sleeping person, njiino-
mo; sleeping-place, njl-
ma; all the sleeping-time,
Dji-pl. To fall asleep^
njl-wili
Sleepy, adj., bgngi
Slender, adj., pangi
Slice, n., seje
Slide, intr. v., namu
Slight, contempt, n., sIq;
treat slightingly, gbindi
Slimy, adj,, manamu
Sling, n., ndaviila, ndavuli
Slip in walking, namu,
gbenge-giila
Slippery, adj., namu
Slopping, heme
Slothful, faka dewf , gbende;
not slothful in business,
wa gbende wu gb§ gblala
Slovenly, adv., njola
Slow, adv,, lele; slow in
accepting anything or
unwilling to believe, tara
Slowly, adv., moje, sgnya,
molo tiie-tiie, and lele
Slowness of speech, ndabela
Small, adj., kiilo = wiilo;
to be small,* giilofigo,
mumu, y<?ve b5ndi-bondi
Small-pox, n., bombo
Smart, tr, v., as' from pep-
per applied to the skin,
siile, mo, jule
Smear, tr, v., sla = jia, mali,
gombo, ngi ngiiloi gbo-
mboakoloima
Smell', n., kii = gii, wii;
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ENQLISH-MENDE YOCABULABT.
meni, hear; smelliiig,
menila
Smith, n., ngai-mo
Stnoke, n., nduli = luli ; to
be smoked, lulingo; to
smoke upon, maMu ;
kpolf , ta t&ve gboU
Smoothe, tr. v., kp5ngb5 =
gb5n-gb5, neku, neye,
bobo, maneo> magb5n-
Snail, n., k5l6, koli, konde
= gonde fsii& gonde, ko-
nde kole
Snake, n., kali, pin. kalinga;
keDJi-gSro, i.e., a snake
resembling kenji; snake
of a dark colour, ngiivSl?,
nguru; snake -worship-
per, njaye ; green snake,
ndawund'u-gole ; kuku-
hua, an animal moving
like a snake
Snare, n., mb5w6, ndaglll
Snarl, intr, v.] kpisle
Snatch, tr. v., gbe, kpe,
songbo
Sneer, intr, v., jonde
Sneeze, tntr, v., deso, diso,
jiso, tiso
Snore, intr. v., kondi
Snot, w., komi
SnuflF, n., taVa or tawa-vuka
Snufif-hom, n., baji
Snuggly, <zdv., kill
So, adv., le ; say so, nde le ;
so that, ko woi ; ni, so it
is, n!na and nini .
Soak, tr. v., togbo, pu njei
hii iyf bobou, wangu
Soap, w.'mbawa hege, hf wq,
mb9ya ; soap-stone, mule^
mule-gotn; soap-bubble,
mb&wa vule
Sob, intr, v.] feyen and
fenyeu
Social, friendly, mba-hinda;
also friendship
Society characterized by
the worship of a snake,
njaye
Socket for the foot of the
mast, jiwo-lowa
Soft, adj., viise, fusele
Soft mud or mire,'poto-pgto
Soffeen by squeezing, njom bo
Softly, adv., bebe, bebengo',
lele, lehngo, toke, bobou,
yelen-yelen, njiifǤ = ydfe,
trka-tika
Soil (earth), n., poro; v.,
nowo, nglo, mano
Soldier, n., ko-mo
Sole of the foot, ngaha,
ngahii :^ yahii; feet
Solemn, adj., mamanu
Some, adj., tghga = l§nga ;
some one, somebody, nii-
mu Ighga ; sometime =
often, hii gbotoma; ku
tghgama; some person,
niimu gbi, and self or
niimu t§nga
Son, n., hindo-lo; son of
man; nii-hindo 151; son
or daughter of a aster,
njabi
Song, n., ngiilf = wiile
Sonorous, wo
Soon, adv., kak4, k4kak4ka,
hiimbu, ni, sangi, wufi
Soot, n., nduli, kpiill
Sorcerer,n.,totomo, ylbaSmo
Sore, n., kpama, plu. gba-
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EXGLISH-MENDE ^ VOCABULARY^
235
melsie ; tegbS, debu, sore
at' the foot; or sore nail ;
ndalu, sore in the month ;
sore place, kpalema
Sorrow, n., mamanla, ndl-
mini; sorrowful, nneasy,
nyandengo I If ; vSlingo
Sorry, arfy., maman'; ti If
nyani gbon; ngi li gbi
nya-nlngo
Sort, kind, n., gege, nyikoi
had, nygko
Sonl, w., ngafa = yafa
Sound, n,, ngo, sole; sweet
sound, ngdne. Sounding,
w$ngo ; sounding brass,
tongo w5ngo. Sound
clearly, w6
Sound (well), adj., vungo
Sour, adj., dabango, togba
Sour milk, .n., nono; milk
sour from fermentation,
tagba, tagbango. Tili,
insipid or sour, tasteless,
unripe fruit; tilitllingo,
intens. v., very unripe and
sour fruit
South, w.,mbu,biii, mbiiima,
gbundo hii; south-west
wind, mbiii fefp
Sow, tr, v., hi ; hSni hima,
hl-w§. To sow and cover
the seed, pii, fall
Sower, w., hi-mo, hani-hi-
mo, tti-hani himo
Space between, n., ndiiahii
Space between two hills =
valley, kpiindo, pf 1§
Spaniard, n., panga
Spare, tr. v., gba
Spark, n., ngombu-v$
Sparkle, v$
Sparrow, n., kpandeve, 65-
kfl§; flock of sparrows,
s6kele-gula
Speak, tr. v., nde = le, lele,
njlale; kola, used* with
nde, as, i nde golaa. Tia,
yf , speak fluently ; namu,
speak or call quickly;
namata, ndanmta - to
praise ; speaking inde-
cently, ndawo ; speak or
act so as to annoy another,
jiandima
Spear, n., kpa, plu. kpalsia,
jiinga, tsolu
Speech, to make a long,
ndgkpo
Speechless, titili, I ylani
Speckle, tr. v., nyegi; to
be speckled, nyegi, nye-
glngo
Spend, tr. v., ngufa = lUfa
and 111 va, as the day ; spend
money, navo mSjia, ma-
lama; spend all for one
object, mbona ; spend
prodigally, hii jiikiilu ;
spend, as time, i.e. kill
time, pa = wa, mu ngalu
felfa wani na
Spendthrift, n., f5l5lamo
Species, n., kijesia, hfwea,
hewelsia, gunengolsia
Spider, n., kasll?, silo, plu.
sil5isia ; njajlly, water-
spider; t§entsil$, a poi-
sonous kind, or jenjllp,
black long-armed spider
Spider's nest, n., sil5 tai;
spider^s net, silQ-boma;
a garment said to be of
spider's web, kesi loma
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Spider's web, sil6 lands aiwl
ndandQ
Spike, n., Igndfma
Spill, tr. v., p% faya
Spin, tr. v., nd^ba=limba,
llmbango, kpell
Spinning-top, n., likpo
Spindle, n., yfnda-yala.
Balance wheel of stone
used in spinning, yenda
Spirit, ngafa = ya£ft;* also
soul and idol. A stone
representing a spirit,
n^a-gQtu ; a kind of
fabulous spirit residing
in the forest, kalikonjo,
nojso; malignant spirit,
h&niwa; a fabulous water-
spirit with a body like a
serpent, and a head like
shining silver, njalo ;
shadow, shade, spirit,
ghost, nene ; a spirit in
the form of a woman with
long hair, dwelling in the
water, tingo ; spirits sup-
posed to appear as boys
or men, majanga
Spirit = temper, w., so
Spiritual, adj., ngafage
Spiritual person, n., ngafa-
mo
Spirt, v., pill kole
Spit, tr. v., pii = wiindaya.
Ti ndaya wli ngi ma, and
vali, ti ndagei "?alini
Spittle, n., ndaya
Spleen, n., gbagbanyene.
Hona, the spleen of one
supposed to have slain
others by witchcraft,
, hence witchcraft
Split, tr, V,, b^la, mbdle or
mbgla; ngale = yalf : n.,
mbela, gbenge
Spoil, Vr. and intr, v., nyani ;
it is spoiled, nyaningo
Spoiler, n., nyani-mo
Sponge, n., nja-vei wiiiDbft
Spoon, n., mita, plo. mf tan-
ga
Sport, n., sail
Spot, n., t9mbo
Spotted, adj., pftpiija
Sprain, tr, v,, mbdnga, mb&-
nanga
Spread, tr, v., f9mb9 = vo-
mbo; spreskd out, hiivd-
mb§
Spring up as seeds, vale,
pota; spring as a trap, nga-
kpe, ng9W$ ; spring back
as a bent stick, fall
Sprout, intr, v., kpoku, fale
Spun cotton, n., fEnde limba
Spy, n., nemo, nenemo, plu.
neb31& ; v., yane, ne, and
nene
Squander, tr, v,, siikulu, me
Squeeze, tr. v., kpSnda,
poto; squeeze out by
pressure, mftv9nya, kpe-
wo, fjnya
Squirrel, n., ng61anda, b^vi,
kponde
Stab, tr, v., mb$, b9
Staff, n., kpona, plu. kpona-
ni ; tikpo, plu. tikpoa
and tikponi, t.e. staff of
authority
Stagger, intr. v., jijia, ba; as,
i bani, he sta^ered not
Staggeringly, adv„ tika-
tika
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ENOLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
237
Stairs, n,, kpakpao-wum
Stalk of rice, n./ mbaga ;
stalk of corn, nygnga and
I ngogo ; stalk of plamtain,
mana dagbei
Stallion, n., sd-hina
Stammerer, n., ndakporo-
mo Djiei ngi la-gborongo
Stammering, n., dagbolo,
ndagboro
Stand, tr. and tntr, v., to =
do ; make a stand ; stand
in a line, yombo; stand
aside, ndekpe : intr,, kpe-
ya
Standard measure, n., ba
Standing-place, n., hfma
Star, n., dumbelf ka, dnmbe-
ka, dnmbei'ka, plu. du-
mbelekesia; also firefly
Start (from), tr, and intr. v.,
hijf ; start from conceal-
ment, kinda
State (condition), n., ya
State of being alone, ng&-
leya ; v., pa
State of maturity, n., nda-
kpaya
Stationary wooden seat, ba-
ng?
Stature, very short, n., nj&-
jola
Steadily, ctdv,, gaon, pi-
nd9n, tin
Steal, tr, v., htoia w§, ya-
huma, ngahuma
Steam, n. and v,, nduli,
ndulu
Steamship, n., nduli-lenda
Steer, tr, v., gbi hou
Step, intr. v., nylmi
Steps, n., kpakpao-wum
Stem, n., tQkpiila
Sternum, lower part of,
ndigbeka
Stew, to 'make, v., pati
Stewardship, n., mbdya,
boya
Stick, intr. v., fefe; stick
to, no : tr. v., pf la
Stick, n., Tengel|, kakila,
kobo; small stick, nyS-
nya» pe-a-li
Stiffened,as acorpse^ndogba
Still, adv., kpe ; stand still,
do kpe ; sit still, hei kpe ;
geli, le, yayema
Stilts, n., mamakpa, kpa-
la; to play upon stilts,
kpala-loli
Sting, tr.'v., yaU, mb5; n.,
mbbma
Stingy, adj., ngfya gondo;
i.e. close handed, koli
Stink, intr. v., giima
Stir up, v., jgjia, wii, huti
Stock, n.y kp^wo
Stomach, n., soma
Stone, n., kgtu = ggtu;
stone of fruit, kale; stone
house, kQlu wele; stone
for sharpening, ngakpa
gotu ; stones used in
divination, bele gotu ;
stone representing a
spirit, ngafa gotu : tr. v.,
bo, kQlu h9U, and kglu
wili
Stoop, intr. v., mawf, ma-
wela, pele, maye;* stoop
over, mawele, wele
Stooping, bent, kgma gbia
Stop! exclam., indau! tr, v.,
kele = cease, kpf
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238
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Stopper, n., ndagbolu
Store-house, n., kpuwa
Straight, adj,, pgna = bona
= wona ; to be straight,
bgnango
Straighten, tr, v., pona,
tamb?
Straightway, adv., ke-
yakpe, kaka, gbengos
lambo
Strain, tr. v., hon, fonya;
strain out, majendej ma-
houla, hola
Strainer, n., hola-hani
Strait (strict), to be, yawoyo
Strange (curious), kande
Stranger, n,, hota or hoda
Strangle, tr, v.,*hele
Stream, n., kpetu; small
stream, njagb6ll
Street, n., ngitiya, pele ;
winding street, pelei j'o-
kiingo
Strength, n., kpaya
Stretch, tr, v., malala, ta-
mbo, tambu, fombo, hu-
vSnibo, madombo
Strife, n,, magdo, magawo
Strike, tr. v., bo, hija, hijaja ;
n,, kpore, nwgna, ndewe;
strike* against, tiigba,
fogba
String, 71., ngeya = yeya ;
ne yeyei, string of the
tongue; string of beads,
minijangba ; short string,
ngea-gutu; long string,
ngia-guhS ; rotten string,
ngia liia
StripJ tr, v., magbia, gambl,
ponje
Stripe, tr, v., nyegi
Striped, adj., nyegi
Strive, tr, v., ndapi = lapi,
magao, i.e. endeavour to
rescue
Strong, adj., and strongly,
adv., den, f51a = viila, jiiju ;
to be strong, vakango, or
strengthened ; vulengo,
kpakpao, magba. The
comparative is expressed
by ma after the positive ;
as,Ndamba ngi gbayango
huanga gboto ma. The
crocodile is stronger than
all (other) animals
Struggle. See Strive
Stub, tr, V,, tiigba
Stubborn, adj,y mamn, ka-
nga
Stuff, n., hani, haka, plu.
hakeisia ; v., sojo
Stumble, intr. v,, tiigba
Stumbling-block, tiigba wii-
kpe
Stump, n., hape, ngukpe,
ngoko, ngulu giitu
Stun,' V.*, diitu
Stunned, ngoli hii gbonda
Stunt, kponde
Stunted, adj., bende
Stupid, adj,, mamu
Stuttering, ndagbolo, nda-
gboro
Subject, n., gowg ; v., ma we
Submerge, tr. v., magbole
Submit, tr. v., goto, goro
Substance, »., jo-hani*
Substantial, adj,, haniini,
kpotn
Success, n,, kohune, ma-
hlnda
Succeed, tr. v., gbekpf. In
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABUT.ARY.
239
succession, ndekpe-nde-
kpe = lekpe-lekpe
Succulent, adj,, kipo
Such, of the like kind,
nyoko or nyiko, bondei
Suck^ tr. v., nyeni ve', vofoi ;
intr. v., pono, foe-toe, nyi-
ningo
Sucklings, pin., ndolanga
Sudden, adj.^ ja, senge, pe
Suddenly, adv., pii ; to cry
suddenly, pule, pe, i gbia
Pf
Sue, tr. v., mayiage (?)
SuflFer, intr, v., mone, gbalo,
to = do. Mone i nya
doa; ngi monedoa. He has
seen or suffered trouble
Sufficient, adj., kpoto
Sugar, n., pii-gbolo
Sugar-cane, w., nyoyo
Sugar plum tree, n., kondi
Suit the object for which
it is made, mbe
Suitable, to be, bo, kpekpe
Summer, w., ngevo hti
Summit, n., hgiimba; sum*
mit of anything, felame
Sun, w., folo = volo. Foloi
bu, under the sun, i.e.
this world : v,, to sun or
air, hube
Sun-bird, w., jele
Sunrise, w., fofof i hije
Sunset, n., foioi i yana
Sunshine n., fSloi gbIa
Sunday, Sunde,'tene v6l6i
Sunken, past part., vengolo
Supplicate, tr. v., feli
Supply, large, n., yogba;
tr. v., go a, give =
furnish with, supply
with. I ti go a kpaya
hinda. He gave them
power
Support, tr. v., topo
Suppose, tr. v', kili, to,
toli
Sure, adj., kpau, kpa, sahai;
I ye sahai, it is sure
Surely, adv., sele, nwe, wen
Surface, n., nda' = ya, the
opposite to hu
Surpass, tr. v., kii, towe =
dewe = de; fisa, tewema
Surprise, ri., klani* and
ekiani, an exclamation of
surprise, v., kolama =
gola
Surprising event, kabande
Surround, tr, v., kakpa and
kakpama, mbf mbe, k9me
Suspend, tr. v., hele*
Suspense, n., ndi hele
Swallow, tr. v., kpole, hu-
gbolS
Swallow, n., kpandeve
Swamp, n., kpete
Swear, tr. v., soiidu or jondu
gbia, gboro; swear upon
a fetish, sonduwua; swear
falsely, nde jondu wua
Swearer, »., sondu-mo
Sweat, n. and v., fondo =
vondo
Sweep, tr. v., ngela ; swept,
ngelahgo
Sweet, adj., ne, nei, nelngo,
nimi
Sweeten, tr, v., neni, mane,
maneni
Swell, intr. v., fe, kpundo =
gbiindo
Swelling, ndewe gbiindo.
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULABY.
swelling caused by beat-
ing, fehani
Swelled*, fe = ve, kpote
Swift, adj.lkiki; to be swift,
POPO
Swiftness, n., kakagi
Swim, intr, v., ndapi = lap!
Swing round to the wind,
inb|mbe ; swing from
side to side, fembe
Switch, w.,foma, ngola voma
Sword = war-knife, n,, ko
bowa, plu. kobSwani ;
kpato, ganga gbali ; short
sword, dasaro
Synagogue (school), ka-we-
bu
Tabernacle, «., baba, kpii-
wa
Table, n., mese or mesa
Tadpole, n., kpHtu
Tail, n., ngoli = W9li or
Willi, fill
Tailor, «., ho-mo ; kiilu ho-
mo
Take, fr. v., mbUmbu = bii-
mbu=wimibu; take for,
hou ; take from, gbia ; take
down, nje = nge = ye =
ge; take off, undress,
magbia; take an oath,
ngiia ; take notice, an ex-
clam., mema! take away
forcibly, kpenda ; take
heed, kpele
Tale, n., njia, dome
Tale-bearer, n., jianduahu-
mo
Talk, intr, v., nje, pe = yepe;
talk loudly, tumbe = di-
mbe
Talkative person, n., bokf ,
bi la a boke
Talker, n., *nj|pe-nio
Tall, adj., pepele, gbia hu ;
kene na ngi gbia himgo
Tallon, n., ngengalu
Tame, tr. v., hua demango
Tamping, w., wonaii
Tapered, adj., fkkl
Taperingly, adv., peni-peni
Tapeworm, kpoli
Tar, n., sole, i.€. the odour
of a fish or some other
animal
Tarantula, »., jokondi
Tardy, kpende
Tare, tr. v., mbela
Tares, w., taya, plu. tayeisia
Tarry, intr. v., gbande or
gbende; kpende, causa-
tive, to detain = make to
tarry ; tarry a long time,
tiiva, ndembi = lembi ;
place of tarrying, i.e. grave,
ndembima
Tarrying (longevity), n.,
ndembi
Tartar incrustation upon
the teeth, n., ngaku;
crab
Tassel (arm ornament), n.,
kpakima venje, venja
Taste, tr. v., ko = go = gu,
toma ; n., taste not agree-
able, tao, neni
Tattooing* the skin, tevija
Taxgatherer, n., maha xia-
V9i yando-mo
Tea, n., ate
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
241
Teach, tr, v,, ka = gft, kara
= gSra, w§ or w§la, ke
Teacher, n., kara-mo, ke
Teaching-place, n., kama,
karama,kaw$,«.;. school-
house
Tear, tr, v., mb$la = hela,
gbfli
L Tear, n., ng&ya. NgSya
t ngi yama, lit water of
his eye. Ti ngayama
Tease, tr, v., fawgli = vS-
f wgli
Teat, n., nika nylni
Tell, tr, v., htig§, t.c. to
show, nde = le, pa; to
tell a^grieyanco, nde gola
hlnda; kpale-ghia, to
tell a falsehood
Temper (disposition), w.,
sq; good temper, so
yakpe ; had temper,
SQ nyamu and ndhna
nyamu ; quick temper,
ndlYiila
Tempest, n., f^f| wa; a
tempest arose (in Mende,
fell), gula
Temple, »., h§-wf-bu
Tempt, tr, v., hUgg-kode,
kolf = gole
Temptation, n., htlgQ-htoda
Tempter, n., nii-gQl§-mo
Ten, num, adj., pii, plu. piia,
pulsia. The tenth, puge,
ipugf ; kolengo piipii; owi
pugfle
Tender, adj,, lele; to be
tender, lelmgo, tarango,
jahfl; tender from boiling,
ndiiwa, tangf nduwango
fukf
Tendon (vein), n., ndata
Tent,n.,baba, kpuwa, kpu-
ella
Termination, n., kelema
Terrify, tr, v., ngande
Terror, n., hiiyande-hinda,
miiamiia, malua, ndiiwa-
ma hani; the person
causing terror, malua-
ma-mo
Test, tr, v., w5gbe, t.e. with
a decoction of Sassa wood
bark for witchcraft;, theft,
etc. ; n., W9gba
Testicle, n,, nJQVo-gale =
yovo-gale; testiclegreatly
enlarged by elephant-
iasis, sikpf ; wasting
disease of testicle, t51e-
higbe. A h§i nii yoVoi
meime
Testimony (witness), n., sfli
Thank, tr, v., se-gbia. I se-
gblaa ngi ma mehei va,
He thanked him on the
king's behalf. Ngise-gbia
hi ma ka. Thanks, n., se
That, conj, and pron,, ke; in
order that, kq, na,'plu.
nasia; we say that —
saying, mc^ and mee; that
is it, ta-mla
Thee, pron,, hi, hie, a-bie,
bima
Theft, n., hCbna-htoda; to
commit theft, hiima wf ,
plu. huma wf laa-wela
Their and them, ^on., ti,
a-tie ; their own, tinda. I
tatp'a kelaa-ti§, He begun
to show them
Theirs, them, pron,, ti
B
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242
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULAEY.
Them, pron., tif, third
per. plu., tied with "a/*
as a-tie, them
Themselves, pron,, ti Yului
or vuli, plu. Tiilulsia
Then, adv., hq, kf . I kp§i na
ma, then, at that time
Thence, adv,, jia, miando,
mla
There, adv., na,miando, mla
lo; there also, mla be;
there it is, there it was ;
there . . . then, na lo '
Therefore, conj., falf,fa-mia,
ta-mla, miava
They, pron., te, ti, tia, neg.
te, ti; they not, i.e. can or
will not
Thick, adj., g}:)6ta = kp^tn,
yota
Thicken, v., kpQtu. A ngi
la gbgtu. With his thick
bill or mouth
Thickest, n., kpikpilima
Thicket, n., ndogbo; thicket
of bushes and grass, bo-
mbo-lggbo, ndiivu-gba
kpovo
Thickly, adv., siklll
Thief, n., hiima-mo, or hu-
ma-w§-mo.
Thigh, n., kpala
Thin, adj., teve or teve;
very thin, teve-teve ; thin
and shorty magonye
Thing, n., hani, plu. hania,
hanisia. Bg nya go a bo
ji; yl, gbo a yl ji(?), I
make thee a present of
this thing
Think, tr. v., kill, tonge, tg-
ye, ngato = bato*
Third, n. and adj., sawagf If,
isawagelf , def. st. isawa-
gei, plu. isawagflsia
Thirst, n. and v., mbolobe,
lit dry throat; as, Nya
bolo hiii bengo wq = I
was thirsty
Thirteen, num. adj., pu-
mahii sawa
Thirty, num. adj., nu gbo-
yongo mahii pii
This, demon, pron., ji, plu.
jia, def. st. jlsia ; na, plu.
naa = na, nasia = the one
who, and the same
Thistle, n., ngfyako =
yeyako
Thither, adv., na ; and there
Thorn, n., ngall, ngall wiim
Thorny ratten, a species of
palm, tambe
Those, ^on., na, nasia
Thou, pron., bi, neg. H
emph. bia b§, bie =
biye = biw(|, thou thyself
Though, conj., gbama lo be,
aspengo be
Thought, n., nemahCl, plu.
nem&huisia; kill. Eiliji
i waa nya nemahu. Evil
thought, kill nyamu
Thoughtless, adj., mamn
Thousand, n., hondo nil
lolu gboyongo, kerne
Threaten an injury, <r. v.,
mawokg, kokowg ; n.,
threat, kokow5
Three, num. adj., sawa;
three together, meti. A
mu te go a meti. He made
US a present of three fowls
together
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
243
'^hresh, tr, v,, nganga,
ndole
Throat, ri.,mbglo=bolo; in
the throat, mbglohii
Throne, n., maha heima
Throng, tr, v., kponda; n.,
fa ha and fana
Throughout, adv,, vofo
Throw, tr. v., pih' = tiili =
will, pela; throw as a
spear, vali ; throw upon,
maho, kigi. The person
who throws, pill-mo
Thrust out, tr, v., lukpe;
thrust in, ngua, sondii ;
thrust down, ye. Ta bi
ye lo heli hu, They shall
be cast into hell
Thumb, w., ko, toko-yio,
toko-hina
Thunder, n., kpande, nge-
leyagbande
Thus, adv., ni
Thyself, pron,, bi villi, bi
vului
Tick, n., nyala
Tickle, tr. v., tone
Tide, i.e. the pltice where op-
posing tides meet, bolila
Tie, tr. v., ngili = yili ; tie a
faiot, kpiilo
Tiger, w., siibu ; fem. siigbu-
ha ; masc. sugbu-hina
Tightly, adv. , getete, manda,
fohe, fuhe ngili manda
Time, n., kpe and kpele ; at
that time, kpema,ikp|mei
na ma; seven times* hii
wofela; all past time,
wQgba; time long since
past, wo ; space of time,
day or a week, lo
Tinkling sound, wonjen
Tired, to be, gahu hango.
Ngi gahu hango yele, lit.
His inside was dead, i.e.
he was tired
Tittle, n., ngengau
To, prep., ma, we, ye, a
Toad, n., ndovo = lovo;
very large kind of toad,
gbata-lovo
Tobacco, n., tawa ; a plant
used as tobacco, tongoni
and vonde
Toe, large, n., ko-hina,
koyio and kowo-yi6, njio ;
soko* yio, njiio, toko-
yiio*
Toe-nail, »., ng§ngalu
Together, adv., tenga =
lenga with a denge, keke
Tomb, n,, kamba
To-morrow, n., sina; but
also used for an indefinite
future time
Tong, n., gbanya
Tongue, n., ne, def. st. nei
Too, adv., tiinu; and too
much, too heavy, mi-
nlngo tunu
Tooth, n., ngongolu = yo-
ngolu
Toothless gum, n., nendi
Top, the imahui, ngumba ;
top of a tree^ ngandange
Torch, n., hemu
Torment, n., yamone, mone,
nemisa. I am tormented,
Nya namisango le
Tormentor, n., yamone-mo
Tornado, n., very severe
one, koyambu
Torpid, adj., timi-timi
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244
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULAKY.
Tortoise, n., poya, det st
poyflsia
Torture, tr, v. and n., hakn
Toss, tr. v., gbayo. A gbavo
anjagatesia
Touch, tr, v., ja, nda = la
Tough, adj., pQJu, tava, tilill
Toward, prep., tenga =
denga
Tower, n., kuta = guta,
bamba
Towii,n.,ta,def.st.tei; and
da, def. st. del
Town desolated, tag9k$
Town-hall, w., seme
Town not barricaded, ta-
Town's broom (busy body),
tagbalf
Trachea (windpipe), n^
mbolo-gotS
Track, n., kowo
Trade, tr. v., f|le, felego
Trader, n., felego-mo*
Tradition, n.,*la-yla, jawa.
Ti niinga jawelsia ti ja-
wei hou. They hold tiie
sayings or command-
ments of the people of old.
Poyia, a word which the
people of old left us
Trail, n. and v., kiikii
Traitor, n., baya-mo
Transform, as insects, m&-
luve
Transgress, tr. v., tehii
gbia, or we
Translate, tr. v., pot§ =
wote
Trap, n., mani, wonjo, ta,
mbowo
Trap-door, n., kuli, ndagili
Travel, intr. v., jto, jijMfc ;
travelling companioxx,
jianyQ
Traveller, n., ndimo, jiamo
Treacherous, <idj\, solo nya^
mu
Treacherous person, »., ka—
so, kpeni
Treachery, n., baya-hinda
Tread, tr. v., nylniL Vi
nylmi ma a gowo. Tread
upon, ja ; the place wheia
something is trodden
upon, nylmima
Treasure, n., kpate
Treasury, n., hinda navoi,
navoi wiimei
Treat "with contempt, tr. v.,
jasi, sasi
Tree, n., ngiilu or ngfira =
wiilu = wiiru; toree cut
down, po-ngiiru ; time
for cuttmg trees, jk) kpe-
ll; tree felled, po-kp&,'
tree of very hard wood,
tijo; tree with many
branches, towa-towa wulu
Tremble, intr. v., magbeli,
kpell ; tremble convul-
sively, kpekpe
Trembling, nyiike, kpakpa
Trespass, tr. v., kplla
Trial, n., mona; to make
trial, nemakQle
Tribulation, w., rngne ; tri-
bulation rise, hlje
Tribute, ndglo nav5, ndo-
navo, njala nav9, gbogbo
Trick,*ndQli. IndQlijikani
amii§. He has played us
this trick
Tripod, n., sangama^ used
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOGABULABT,
245
in supporting a weaver's
harness
Triumph, r?., kp90, t§we
Troops, w., lai
Trouble, n, and v,, mone,
vaw5li and Towoli, lihe,
yamQne, mgnengo. Ngi
li i helea. Ba nya ll he
Trousers, n., kofe, here;
trousers reaching to the
knee, mabota, kingua,
kosi
Truly, without foil, adv,,
kembQ
Trumpet, n., biilu; war-
trumpet made of wood,
mbela-biilu
Trumpeter, n., bulu-ve-mo
Trunk (box), n., kSna
Trunk of the elephant, ni-
mo. Nimo lo kili-klli
Trust, tr. v., la, lala, vala,
wele = pele. Ngi li i y6
ti ma, lit. His heart is in
them. To trust in, sell
on trust, ndQndo. Ko
mu vala ngi ma
Trustworthy, so y§kp§
Truth, n., tonya = lonya,
and tgnya-hinda
Try by tasting, kg
Tub, w., bogoti
Tufted, binjando
Tumour, n., mo, fehani;
tumour on the heaS, mo-
mo
Tumult, n., biyo-hinda, y§-
yf-hlnda
Tunnel, n,, tola
Turn, tr, and intr, v., p6t§
= w5te, w5ve; to be
turned into a monkey, i
w5t§ a kua; turn from
side' to side, mbembe;
turn from the way,'kaka;
turn upside down, wu-
hitf ; turn on the back,
ngata ; turn the head
downwards (to slay),ngu-
t9ka; turn aside for
another, magbukpu, ge-
ndebele pove, tivo, wete
ngawote. By turns, adv.,
ndekpe^ndekpe = lekpe-
lekpe
Turtle, n., njavele, a large
one; also njagere, pQya:
poya-bolo, the shell of the
poya, used in the Pgro.
A turtle-shell beat in the
Poro to call attention,
koko-ndgwo
Twain, li venya
Twelve, num, adj., pu mahti
fel$; the twelve, ipii mahu
f|leisia
Twenty, num, adj., niimu-
gboyongo
Twilight, in the morning,
ngewShii and ngelewohu-
gbendi; in the evening,
kpokponye, fitlli
Twin, n., fela, plu. felanga.
The name of the first-
born is salo; of the last,
j§na. When three are
born at the same time,
the third is called gbeye
(Has it any connection
with kpeya, to stand aside,
make way for another ?)
Twinkling of the eye, yali-
ngohH, nyama y&lingo hu
Twist, tr, v., ndimba = li-
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246
ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
mba, ta fi&nde Umba ; to
twist, Umbango ; twist
slightly, p6to; twist hard,
ngamo
Two, num, adj., fel§, plu.
felfa, def. st feleteia
U
Udder, w., nylni
Ugly, orfv., nyamu, so nya-
mu kpongba
Ulcer, w.," upon the cheek,
arising from a bad tooth,
gawiile - higbe ; chronic
ulcer, * ndegele, ngf le ;
large ulcer,* sfgeli
Umbilical cord, w., ngonyeya
Umbrella, n., nja-gbuwa'
Unable, to be, kpahS =
gbahS
Unawares, eu^'., a kora ma
Unbarricaded town, ta
Unbelief, n., ti hou a tonya.
Numui na f hou a
tQuya, That man does not
stick to the truth
Unbind, tr, v., ful$
Unbolt, tr, v.,
Unbraided, ngiifulo
Unbroken, adj,, bitill
Unchain, tr. v., fiilo
Uncircumcised person, so-
limo
Uncle, mother's brother, w.,
kenya, plu. kenya nga
Unclean (ceremonially),
oeZy., ylva
Uncleanness, w., manyimi,
P9w$-hlnda hii
Uncombed, adj., ngiifiil5
Uncomely, ac?v., batoke *
Uncommon, adj., batoke
Unconcealed, weje
Uncooked, a<?y., ngundn
Uncorruptible, adj.^ Dyani-
ngo 1 le
Uncovered, adj., wf je
Under, fn^. and cudv,, mbu,
bu ; under the sky, ogele
bu, i,e, this world ; xnidTer
the sun, folol bu, this
world
Underneath, adv,^ mbn, bu
Understand, tr. v., beli, huge;
wubelfngo vela
Understanding, n., nemahu
lewf , htigSla
Undertaking, n., hlnda lea-
barlsia = wawalsia
Underwood, the place
cleared of, ndoka
Undesirable, adj., maha
Undeveloped palm nuts,
tewu yombe
Undress, tr. v., mSgbIa
Uneasy, to be, li hele, t>.
the heart is suspended
Unenergetically, adv., moje
Unentangle, kpembO
Unexpected, adj,, kama
Unexpectedly, to meet, kg-
lema; to appear un-
expectedly, gola
Unfit, adj., ma-I-hooni
Unflinching, adj., novi
Unfold, <r. v., fombS = v6-
mb6, hiige, hiivombo
Unfortified, kpasa
Unfruitful, to be, f la wua
Ungodliness, n., hinda nya-
mu
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ENGLISH-MENDE YOGABULART.
247
Unhesitatingly, adv,, fta
UninterestecUy, adv., konye
Unite, tr, v., hiila, ndal5
Unitedly, adv., a lenga
Unjust, to be, kafango; hl-
nda nyamimgo
Unjust person, n., kafa-mo,
plu. kafa-b61a
Unkind, adj., ndlma be
Unlawful lover, n., kamo
Unleavened, k5me-gbobu
Unless, conj,, way§, ngeye
Unlike, adj., gba
Unlucky, adv,, ndgvo
Unmarried, ti so-hu
Unmellow, adj., talo
Unmerciful, adj., manuma
bela ya-a-tie, manylmi
Unpleasant, aa[;'., sound, ngo
nyamu
Unproductive, adj., kpOma ;
to be unproductive, kpo-
mango
Unprofitable, adj., to be,
m&damango
Unprotected, kpasa
Unrighteousness, n., kafa
hinda
Unripe, adj., tftla, kp5le.
The taste of unripe fruit,
t!li, seli ke tili, mamaya
Unseemly, adv., mahoungo
He
Unspun cotton, fande yiiff,
nyuf§
Unstring, tr. v., ndgle
Unsubstantial, p$w$
Unsuccessful, ndgvo
Unsympathizing, ndlma bf
Untamed, adj., mb^le
Unthankful, adj., tl sabu
Untidy in habits, nj5la
Untie, tr. v., fulo
Until, adv., ke, ngiye
Unto, prep., a, gama
Unusual, kama
Unwashed, to be, ngl or
a-nguango = wiiango
Unwilling to go, a diima la
llla ; unwilling to believe,
tara
Unwise, nemahu ba
Unworthy, adj., ma I hSuni
Unyielding, lilill ; unyield-
ing in diJBpute, la-gbango
Up, adv., ma, ya, mahU,
ngeya, ngfleya
Upbraid, tr. v., yla
Upon, prep., ma mahii
Upper arm, n., kpaki
Upper garment, n., nd^ma
= loma
Uppermost (room), adj.,
wiimba, .ng§leya, gundS-
!sia
Upright, je, i hf i je, sege,
sewe; to be upright, se
singo, sglo wanda, siie-sue
Urinam reddere, wow5
Urine, n., ng5li ; urine-blad-
der, ngoli ta
Uproar, n., mavale, sglf,
bly5-hinda
Uproot, tr, v., pugbia
Us, pron., mu, mua, a-muf
Useless, adv., gbamah&ni,
maha
Usury, n., t5ngo
Utensil, haka; utensil of
basket-work, h&mb$
Utmost, ngabengo; to the
utmost
Utter, speak, kgla, nde
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248
E!JGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
golaa, nde mlft iye, ku-
lane
Vain, o(^y., mata b6ve, ta-
ma ; and vanity. In vain,
gbama ; in vain imagina-
tion, powo hinda; vain
deceit, yara-gbama
Valley, n,, hindei nglyf fele
liia-hii, ndembu-ndemba
Valuable, adj., ba-gbango
Value, songo, prep,, instead
of, i.e, thing of equal
value; of little value,
wekende or wegende.
Ndop9i ji nge wegende-
ngo, This boy is not of
much value
Vanish, intr, v., longo hfi ti
yama
Variance, n,, ndiia-hi! nya-
ni, tolo-hinda
Various,*ady., gege, plu. ge-
gea ; various things, kinds,
hInda gegea
Vegetable, some kind of,
salo
Vein, n,j ndata
Vengeance, n,, li lewe, kot5
Verily, adv., a tQnya,*tonya
Very, adj,, fo, ka, pi, jon,
se, pepeje, diso, ngue,
nyolon, pelu-pelu-pelu,
pgte-pote, tgve ; very
great, ngongowa ; very
Ijttle, kiilongo pgte.
Nas6,yegele, pii. Kolf ngo
pupu, very white
Vessel, n., haka
Vex, tr, v., vowQli; to be
vexed, monea^o gbon, ll-
heni.lumbe! liidewfjlit
His heart is cut
Vexation, w.,ndi-de we-hinda
Vexatious person, vowoli-mo
Vial, n., sani
Vicious, adj\, so-nyamti
Victuals, n., me-hani, mebe,
mehei
Vile affections^ mani nya-
muisia
Village, w., fala cmd fule
Vine (creeper), w., nyeyako;
india-rubber vine, jesye
Vinegar, n., ndodagl»
Vineyard, n.,ngfyako, yeya-
ko-gatei
Violence, n., fula = vula,
nasia woya; to be
violent, viiiango ; violent
person, woya-mo, yeye
Viper, n., tiipu. The name
of a fish resembling the
tiipu
Virgin, maiden, n., teinS/
tenina
Virgiaity, n„ teinaya
Virtuous, adf,, siiesiio
Visibly, adv,, wej§
Visit, tr, V,, va
Visitation, time of, vama
gbelfi, nene
Voice,w.,ngo=wo; pleasant
voice, ngo leli. Voni
(foni), pi?iched; ti lima
voningo, they were
grieved, in a state of
sorrow
Void, to be, haka
I Vomit, tr, v., ball
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ENOUSH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
249
Yoracions manner, fafalage
Vow, w., gboro
Vulva, n., tete
W
Wadding, w., womu, a soft
material used in calking
Wager, to lay a, tr, v.,
ngua; also to take an oath
Wages, n,, pSga ; v., to pay
wages, pawo, piiga
Wagging, adj,, fenge, ngile,
ngi w$li i ye fenge-fenge
Waggon, n,, kongSlo-gana
Waist, n., hama;' and the
rainy season from May
to October, ngow6
Wait! exclam.,indeu! tw*r.
V,, maviilo ; gbendoiile !
Wake, intr. v., ngu wu (to
melt); tr, v., sg. Ke
Josim i wunga nj! hH,
Joseph awoke from his
sleep
Wale (swelling), n., ndf we
gbiindo, caused by beat^
ing
Walk, intr. v.. jlft, jijia,
jlajla; to walk about or
sail about for pleasure,
dftewf; walk tiptoe,
If n^e : n., wagi, Iftf w§
Walker, n., jia-mo
Wall, n., golo and goro ; a
general name for defen-
sive walls and fences.
Wall of mud or sun-dried
bricks around a town,
d&da ; to build a wall, t5
= d6
Wallow, intr. v., nikpa,
nikpa-nikpa
Wander, intr. v., kaka
Want, tr. v., to wish, like, 15
= need ; v. and n., mani,
feli. Gbowuloingipf wu
ma ? What do you want
this boy to do for you ?
Mani i ngi houa. Want
seized him = he was in
want. Wanting = about
to, ngeke = yfkf = yei.
Yfke i ha. He was want-
ing to ( = about to) die
War, n., ko ; war materials,
ko-hlnda or haka or h&ni :
tr. v., ko; to war, ta koi
go a helf. The place
cleared for discussing a
war, kolanga. Ko-blje,
n., the bravery of a
warrior; the name given
to an attacking army.
Kob$wa,war-knife,sword;
Komaha, war-chief, and
ko-mo; captive in war,
kohou; leading warrior,
officer, disguised by dress,
bolohti gugba, kligba.
War-dance, kot^-gbolf;
war-trumpet of wood, n.,
mbela-bulu
Warm, tr. v., kpindi, kew?.
A gewo a ngombu, kQw5
and kQO, fula
Warn, tr! v., ndahi = IShi,
lahila,lahIiigo; warning,
ndahela ngo
Wash, tr. v., ngua; to be
washed, nguango = wu-
ango, nJQWf le
Washing, nguango = wua-
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250
ENOLISH-HENDE VOCABULABY.
ngo, wala, ngua; m&d&-
ma •
Wasp, n., jimo hlgbo, beme^
pewe, l3^gb$l§
"Waste foolishly, htijnkulu,
snkula; wasting disease
of the testis, t5lf-hlgbe ;
waste-matter, ka; lay
waste, gb6v6, fffjla ; hii-
nyani
Waster, spendthrift, f5f5la-
mo
Watch, tr, v., mahtl-gbe,
mane, yane we,ngllew6hd,
manf-gbf , mabele ; watch
closely, maJQgbe bele,
yane; watch-house, ba-
kull. Mbete-jonga, k61o,
kendawu
Watchman, n., mane-m6,
ne-mo and nene-mo'
Wat^r, n., nja = ya ; water-
lily, pupende; waterfall,
siile; water- wagtail, tol6
genpe ; watering-place",
iijCLgbglf ma, nja-gata ;
water insect like a cock-
roach, n., nja-gbekpe ;
water-fanner, i.e. a large
water-turtle, nja-vele ;
water-hole, i.e. well, nja-
Iowa
Wattle, n. and ir. v., jSya
Wave, n., kata = gata, plu.
gatelsia
Wax, Vi., k^nde
Way, n., p§l§; to take a
way, pele h5u; way of
doing, pflf h'lnda, or pf-
hinda ; way to the north
or to the south, jengbe
hH wfle
Way = manner, syoko
Way-side, n., pelei yaka
ma
We, pron., ma, mu, Tvna;
neg. ma, me, mii, we
not, can or will not ; me
and we, affirm. = we
say, that. Mu-vuli, our-
selves, we ourselves
Weak, to be, hango, beyo
Weaken, tr. v., k§.h€L-ha,
yogbo felee; weakened,
nde^u, koi ti lekpongo,
ylbon fgka-lfwe
Wealth and wealthy, kpate ;
one who seizes upon
wealth, hani-gQlI-mo
Wean a child, ndagbia nyi-
nima
Weapon, n., ko-haka or
hani = hinda
Wear, tr. v., ngili = ylli, as
cloth; properly, to tie,
bind, gird. To wear out,
become worn out, haga
Weary, tr. v., ha. I nya lii
ha. She wearies me. To
become weary, hii-ha
Weave, tr. v., fe = ve, fele;
the art of weaving, knla
ve nemahfi d§wf ; weav-
ing harness, nlDl
Weaver, n., fe-mo, fele-mo
Weaver's beiun, n., kpakall
Weed, tr. v., k9mb^, as,
kpiti gpmb^; hti-gbfo,
pull out
Week, n., 1q, Igf , and Iqwo,
a space of time, a week
or a day
Weep, intr. v., DgQ = wq,
wijlo
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
251
"Weeping, ngQma
Weight, 71., mini, hakamlni ;
heavy weight, maheu
Welcome, tr. v., va
Well, n., nja-lQwa = ya-
lowa ; i.e. water-hole
Well, adv., panda-wanda,
kpfkpe = yekpe, keya,
as, a jia keya
West, n., kpiindo ; kpiindo-
hii, the west, the lower
place
Wet, adj., leli, ndeli, leili,
lelingo
Whale, n., nja-hele ; i.e,
water-elephant
Wharf, n., njala, njela
What, tnterrog. pron., gbe ?
What for? gbe va? be
gbe? What thing? gbe
hani? as, gbe hani lo a
ji? What is it? gbe If?
Mbo = mo. Gbo, as, gbo
i wf ni a hakei ji ? What
has he done' with that
load? What time =
when, migbe? migbelf
Whatever, pron., hSni gbi,
hinda gbi
Wheel, w., gongSlS
When, adv.,' }i; i.e. at the
time when, mIgbe lo; at
that time, ekpf lei na ma ;
when . . . then, kina . . .
ke
Whence, adv., mlando
Where, adv. interrog., ml,
mindo, hindei ; the place
where a? o . . . o bi ke?
Where about ? ml yaka ?
Wherefore, adv. and conj.,
fale. Mlva, miya lo bi ji
weni? Wherefore have
you done this?
Wherever, hInda gbi, hi-
ndei gbi
Whetstone, n., ngakpa-gotu
Which, rel. p/on., na, plu.
naa = na-nasia; which
side, where about? mi-
yaka?
While, n. and adv., ji, ji le ;
i.e. a little while, nyepele ;
after a long while, ku-
lembingo; while as yet,
kIna le; awhile, se; a
little while ago, woi, i
pea woi; in a little while,
ape lo woi, pele
Whip," n., foma = voma;
whip with lashes* of
braided leather, gbato ;
the sound of a whip,
fiigba, tr. v., fogba
Whirlpool, n., nibembe
Whirlwind, n., silo lo a
gba mo, lit. the* spider
bums his farm
Whisker, w., t.e. side whis-
kers, kakpa
Whisper, w., nd6ndo-yia; v.,
ndSndo hii
Whisperer, n., njla-15nd6-
lei-mo
Whistle, n. and v., f51e =
v6lf
White, adf., kogoli, kole =
golf; kolfngo piipii,*very
white ; fengbe ; cotton
cloth which is dyed blue,
fengbe-ftma; white clay,
hfjo
White ant, n., glli; queen
of white ants, glllnye
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252
EN6L1SH-MENDE VOCABULABY.
White man, n., pu-mo and
puni-mo, a term applied
to all educated persons,
whether white or black
White man's language,
i)uru-yla
Whiten, tr, v., k6lf = golf ;
having a. white surface,
magolf. Ngi gowolsia ti
mag5lIngo, His hawks of
white faces (?)
Who, pron., na, plu. naa
(na), nasia, ye? Who is
it?yemia?
Whoever, pron,, niimu gbi,
plu. nunga gbi
Whole, undivided, adj.,
hokpo, gbi kpen, kpere,
orkpele. Bitili. soi: the
whole day, f51o kpen
Whore, n., hite' nyaha
Whosoever, pron., ke be ye
lo ; whosoever thou art?
Why, for what reason,
gbeva
Wicked, adj., nyamu
Wickedness, n., hinda nya-
mu
Wide, adj., ko, ekoi
Widow, n., kapawo and
kpawo, plu. kpawolsia;
this poor widow, kpawo
vellngo
Wife, n., yaha, nySha ; wife
by inheritance, widow of
a deceased relative, p5-
nyaha
Wild, adj., mb$lf, w5l6;
wild beasts, ndogbo hiia ;
wild, unruly boy, hll6p5
gbogboSngoi ; wild cat,
nyamgbf, ndand&kiild.
volo; wild cow, tewni,
hfkf; wild yam^ 'mb5,
ngawu
Wilderness, n., ndogbo,
ng5la or ngole (?)
Will,'n., ndiima = duma =
luma,ndlma=]ima hinda,
tuma yela ; good will, ndl
yakpe
Win, tr. v., pa (kill), as in
a game
Wind, n., fefe
Wind, tr. v., kanu
Winding, SQku, ndekpe,
kanu
Window, n., ndawCma,
jende, kanyama
Windpipe, w., mb6lo-g6to
Wine, n., ndg = 16 ; palm
wine, tokpo-lo ; wine from
ndiivu w6vo poti; wine-
fat, ndg yfi va; wine-
press, or the place where
wineismade,nd9gbatema
Wine-drinker, n., ndg gbo-
le-mo
Wing, n., kpaki (arm,
shoulder), plu. kapakteia;
winged termites, hita.
l^gi gbakisia tfwengo
yele. His wings were cut
Wink at (in contempt),
intr. v., mmdl
Winnow, tr. v., lyenje,
ngafe, mayafe, mave
Wipe, tr. v., gamgela, npaye-
la; as,mesemayela. Ngeia
ySla. Wipe upwith rfie
finger, mdigomi; wipeont,
nduf? = liif|. Ti ngi
liifSa] They wiped him
out(?)
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
253
Wisdom, n., nemahiide.
Tgnya-bela ti nemahMe
Wisdom, n., namahii-lewf ;
to have wisdom, nemahu
dewfngo
Wise, adj., nemahti lewe
and dewfngo. Ngii nu-
kpe, wise head
Wise* person, n., nemahii,
]e-mo. Ngn-hukpe-mo,
clear-headed person
Wish, tr, v., 16, yelo (to
hope)
Witch, n., hgna. Li hgna
htl
Witchcraft, w., hgna hinda,
or merely hgna. It also
denotes the spleen of one
supposed to have slain
others hy witchcraft
With, prep., a, la, ta ; with
us, mu woma. I am with
you, Nya'lo wu woma
Withdraw intoconcealment,
ndomhulombu. Koi i
lombua. He keeps the
war a secret
Wither, intr. v., ndSgbo =
]$gb$. Tiffsia li iogboa ;
b|, mbf, to dry, dried
up. Kgwui mbfngo =
bfngo
Within, prep., hH, mbu, bu ;
withm the sky, or under
heaven,ngele-g9hii'; with-
in the skin" = body, kahfi.
EakS ta lo pelei bu (?)
Without, prep,, poma =
w$ma ; without * under-
standing, nemahu i ti
ma; without handle^
mene, as, k5nu mene;
without hindrance, kaba;
without energy, fiaka-
Ifwe; without fail, fo;
without honour, maha
Witness, n., seli = jeli ;
£alse witness, nde seil
houla ; to witness between,
majfli
Woe, exclam., powo !
Wolf, n. (doubtful), koli.
See KqII, leopard. Koli
maluango
Woman, n., mua and
miiai; nya and nyaha,
plu. nyahanga and ma-
ningo ; mama, elderly
person, male or female:
mama-da, a very old
person, a grandparent
of eiliier sex ; young
woman, or become a
woman, nyap9, njabu =
i\jabu
Womanhood, n., nyapOya
Wonder, n., ngii-h&-ba-
hlnda
Wonderful, adj. and n.,
wonderful things, ngulu-
ba hindesia. K^bande,
ti kabande hinda wea.
They wrought miracles
Wood, n., kowu ; woods =
forest, ndogbo
Wood-cutter, n., kgwu
dewe-mo; the place for
cutting wood, kQwu ya-
lema
Wooden seat in a bam,
bango
Wood-splitter, n., kgwu
yatf-mo
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254
ENGIJSH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
Woollen cloth, n., mujl
Word, n., ngo, la, la-yia,
Djla, yfji
Work, n., ngenge = yenge;
v., ngenge we : good work,
hinda* yf kpf
Workman, n., ngenge-mo,
yeng6-mo
Workshop, w., ngengema
World, n., ndolo'= lolo =
loe = ndoe ; all the
world, i.e, people, ngele-
bn gbi = all under heaven
Worm, n,, kpoli, gbolni;
ngoro, a small green and
hairy worm; mbg, mbolo,
worm biting those that
sleep on the ground
Worship, tr. v., va, he;
plarce of worship, hema
Worship of the spirit at the
grave the third day after
the interment of a female,
and the fourth day after
the interment of a male,
tekome
Worshipper, w., niimu we
hehe we mo
Worshipping of twins, giv-
ing them oil and salt
every new moon, woi,
won go
Worthiness, w., ba
Worthy, adj., mahoungo,
mbele ngi ma
Wound] tr, v., nemu;
wounded person, w., mbo-
mo nwona ; wound with
a sharp instrument, ti
ngi wona a saki; a gun-
shot wound, mboma, plu.
nemuma^ nemuisia
Wrap, tr, v., mbembe ; wrap
in a parcel, tiwi
Wrath, n., ndidewe = li
dewe, ndlma
Wreath, w., hembe
Wrest from, tr. v., jionje,
mbola = l^la
Wrestling, ilgi. Ti kigi
goa, They saw the wrest-
ling
Wring, t,e, press out, kpini,
fonya
Wrinkles, n,, totonyo
Wrist, 71., loko lei, t6ko la
Write, tr, v., nyegi
Written, adj,, nyegingo
Wrong, to be, lele, lengo.
£i lele, thou art in the
wrong. To wrong one,
nyimi. Ti nyimia ngi
ma. They wronged you.
Wronged, condemned,
nylni nyimia
Yam, n,, mbo, mbole ; wild
yam, ngawu
Yard, n,, kata; yard or
garden enclosed, kate hii.
Epanda, t.e.half a fat&om,
yard
Yaws, n„ kegeli, a trouble-
some disease on the west
coast. Scars from yaws
on the bottom of the feet,
kegeli-gbo
Yeax, 'n,y fj, f56, fonu ; last
year, fj dfwengo; the
present year, nyomoi, as,
njf i waa nyomi kpolongo .
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ENGLISH-MENDE VOCABULARY.
255
the year after next, fo na
ikpekei w6ma
Yes, adv.y Le, aiou, yo, aiyo
Yesterday, n., ku = gu,
def. St. gtiei, gbenge or
kpenge, gbfngeme. Mu
waa beindo 'gb|np:eme.
The day before yesterday,
kpgnge nda gbenge
"Yet, adv. conj., ke, le ; yet
again . yay ema. I gboyoni le
Tield fruit/ i wani ngiilu-
wa gbi
Yielding to pressure, yovn,
i.e. soft, elastic, titili, bg-
gbo ye titili
Yonder, adv., miando
You and ye, pron., wa, wu,
wua ; neg. wa. wii wua :
to you, with you, a-wue
You say = saying, be aJad
bee
Young, adj. , togbe = dogbe ;
the younger, itogbei; njio,
young or little; to be
young, yiongo
Young man, n., ndagbao
dogbe, ndakpa 15 konga ;
young soldiers, ko and
golagbowoisia ; young
woman, nyapo, magbeni
Your; pron., a-wue, wu,
wua ; your own, wunda
Yourself, wua be
Yourselves, fyron., wu-viili,
plu. wuvuluisia
Youth, n., kina wogba nya
yiSngo
Zeal, n., ndi gbandi = hot
heart
THE END.
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON AND BECCLES.
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